In the mid-morning of 11th April 2017, I met the MD of Nyaho Medical Centre, Dr. Elikem Tamaklo at the entrance while exiting following a medical session. A fleeting conversation ensued and he concluded, “Medicine is an act; …... take notice of how you feel especially after consuming some particular food substances.”

Earlier, and on same day, I met with Dr. Ruth Osei Odom of the same facility for interpretation of results from an earlier medical session. In the course of event, she intimated in response, “Pain is in the mind,” suggesting one could unknowingly be medically whole, but for some influences s/he might think otherwise; I didn’t acquiesce in that, then she went further to say, “I think your problem is psychological,” because the test results were virtually insignificant, although my discomfort persisted. Hmm.

The aforesaid suggestions from these young, and smart medical personnel or practitioners couldn’t entirely be overruled, especially that of the energetic and enthusiastic MD. However, their submissions degenerate further cravings in the form of questions that demands answers from none, but ourselves—clients or patients—indicating that a substantial and mammoth degree of good healthcare resides with us, but couldn’t be exercised in isolation; thus they (healthcare) must be executed on fair knowledge not ignorant self-medication.

Our current Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng in one of his new year messages to Ghanaians, reiterated and medically counseled us amongst other things to visit a medical facility at least once in a given year, exercise regularly, eat properly, and etcetera.

Unfortunately, the antithesis has been the circumstance with most Ghanaians, of which I’m no exception—thus, guilty by intermittency on my part. I have on several occasions heard my relations—kindred and friends exclaim in pidgin English, especially on every other 31st December that, “Chaarley, I thank God oo. Like 4 or more years now, I never sick; I never go hospital. God be too much,” implying over 4 or more years now God has shielded them from illnesses of ilks, hence no need to visit a medical facility.

Now, while that assumption couldn’t also be entirely overruled, it’s imperative and decent for my ‘near-medically-ignorant’ relations, as well as all persons out there to assume mindful postures that some medical disorders or conditions are not always in a hurry to exhibit symptoms, but for the long-term. So, there maybe indefinable proclivity that their (my ‘near-medically-ignorant’ relations) potential future medical disorders or conditions could worsen transcending treatment, but management if not death.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Digression, but very much related: The Bible, just as every other reasonable and properly constituted democratic National Constitution, makes available conducive rooms for all and sundry—disabled and able persons to thrive and excel in most facets of life, if not all; nonetheless the defacto circumstance is that not all persons under the Bible or National Constitution thrives—and this will never change till God comes. Why? Here is why, “So then He (God) has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom he desires,” as captured in Romans 9:18 of the New American Standard Bible version—simply put, God shows mercy to whom He pleases, but not all persons—disabled or able.

In a democratic National Constitution like Ghana’s, CHAPTER 5: Fundamental Human Rights And Freedoms; SECTION 19 (1): Fair Trial, says: “A person charged with a criminal offence shall be given a fair hearing within a reasonable time by a court.” What is the real instance? The real instance is: until you are a politician or public figure, you are most likely to be “Locked and forgotten,” like myjoyonline puts it. My point is, God (Bible) and the State (Constitution) are merciful, but only show mercy to whom they please.

So, if God has said in Deuteronomy 28:12 that, ”….. to bless all the work of your hands,” and by that, the respective owners of all medical facilities, as well as Doctors are praying to God or god for more customers, can you guess what would be our fate if we possessed the following? Thus: (i) by ignorance we aren’t visiting a medical facility for regular checkups; (ii) we’re cash strapped—broke as hell; (iii) God isn’t showing mercy whether or not we are praying enough. Any ideas? Yes I do: I’m certain sans equivocation we’re all most likely to die faster if there were any eventuality. Hmm.

CONCLUSION

In all these, the judgment would be that the practice and use of medicine is not always absolute to our medical disorders or conditions, therefore, “The best health policy is the grace of God and if you don’t have the grace and money, you will die faster than the rate at which SIM card prices fell some years back,” as duly estimated and captured in the book: ‘Nsempiisms’ by Nana Awere Damoah.

In furtherance, if all of the above—introduction to conclusion are defied and treated with contempt, the resolve therefore might be that, “DEATH IS CREEPING IN, WHILE OUR EYES ARE WIDE OPEN.”