I Almost Became Past Tense
By lute wa lutengano
The other day I had a mild bout of malaria. I normally get it
once every six or so months. As usual, after the medical diagnosis I requested
that I get the normal prescription I always use that is chloroquine tablets.
I was told that there was no way I could get a prescription for chloroquine. I
asked why? The doctor responded by wondering why I did not know that chloroquine
had been taken off the pharmacy shelves by order from the government.
I decided to check for myself this fact. I went through all the major pharmacies
in town, and I could not get chloroquine. I then went to the smaller ones. There
I was told that they had to do away with chloroquine because they were
threatened that whoever was caught selling them would be prosecuted.
Now I was left in a limbo. I have been using chloroquine tablets to fight my
malaria for the last twenty or so years. And it has always proved to be the most
effective missile against malaria parasites which in this part of the world have
a habit of storming one’s body from time to time. I have never complained.
Actually I have at one time complained against being prescribed other drugs for
my malaria because they were not effective.
Now here I was, down with malaria and without my scud missiles against the
deadly parasites. I will not reveal what happened next, but I somehow ended up
securing the chloroquine tablets, and thanks to them I am alive and scribbling
this piece of topic.
This reminds of a problem I had some years back. I had traveled to Europe and
after two or three days there I went down with malaria. I had actually traveled
from here with the parasites in my body to Europe.
I was taken to a medical establishment. I told the doctor who saw me that I was
sure I had malaria. He could not take my word. He said I should have long been
in bed if I had malaria. I told him that I was from Africa and therefore I could
easily withstand certain levels of malaria in my body. He could no budge.
It was only after some three days of several diagnoses that a doctor who is an
expert in tropical medicine visited me and he rightfully confirmed my earlier
contention. That is when I got treatment. I however still insisted that I get
something akin to chloroquine.
That was a very expensive exercise. It is only through the generously extended
services of an insured friend of mine in that town that I was able to pay for my
treatment.
For the next trip to Europe, actually to London, I was very prepared. While the
Europeans visiting Africa are requested to take prophylactic measures against
such maladies as malaria, I also took my own creative measures against falling
sick with malaria in Europe. This time therefore I traveled with three full
doses of malaria in the form of chloroquine tablets. Fortunately or
unfortunately I never fell sick in the whole month I spent in London.
In the meantime, while recuperating from my recent predicament, I overhead our
Minister for Health assuring one of local pharmaceutical industries, that
chloroquine was still very much in use among other malaria prescriptions. Now, I
wonder where this drug is being used. I do so because the other day I almost
became past tense. Reason? No chloroquine drug anywhere.
lutengano@hotmail.com
