It's SteeTime!

The 2-part headline stories published on 17 and 18 September 2013 in the Zimbabwean paper DailyNews, a paper with a reputation for ‘telling it like it is’, were entitled “Hospitals of Death “ and “Health Horror”. The articles were describing the failure of medical service delivery in the two top government hospitals of Zimbabwe; Parirenyatwa Hospital and Harare Central Hospital.  The political editor, Thelma Chikwanha, who wrote the article about Harare Hospital, mentioned overcrowding of mothers who have just delivered babies, bad attitude of staff, lack of warm water or heaters, long-waits in the outpatient department, heavy charges for investigations, doctors sending patients to their private wards, neglect and misuse of funds by hospital administration. Did I miss anything? Although many people felt that these pieces were displaying good journalism - finally exposing the essential elements of human suffering by the generality of Zimbabweans, I felt they were se

I’ve been away for some time. And what have I been up to exactly?  Redefining success. It had been over 15 years since my last family trip to ekhaya the village home my father comes from in rural Zambia near Kabwe town. No, we are not Zambian. We are Zimbabwean but my grandparents migrated there in the 60’s during the liberation struggle…and I guess they liked it so much they never left! A story for another day. You can imagine the magnificent reception at our arrival this month. My brothers and I all last seen as tiny tots and now returned as ‘degree'd somebodies’.  There was some debate, however, among the large extended family whether it was possible to have a female doctor. “No, no, no, there are no women doctors! They are called nurses,” overheard amongst men seated around the midnight fire as they caressed their traditional brew. My younger cousins would look at me as I walked across the homestead, unashamedly staring at this wonder that is a wom

There is a hill in the leafy suburb of Westgate in Harare named Bluff Hill. Every morning just after the first beam of sunrise, people from the surrounding homes come pouring in. It is an intriguing sight of people jogging around the hill and doing exercises up and down the steep side. Posh houses overlook this outdoor gym where young and old come together and workout absolutely free of charge. Different stages of fitness, different targets but one common characteristic is that each person is determined and encouraged by the company shared by the rest. It has become such a huge deal that some fitness coaches have decided to voluntarily take classes and train the various groups that go to the hill. A 30-minute walk every day can do more for your long-term health than all the efforts of a dozen doctors and their medication.  Not only does exercise improve your health, even if you have already been diagnosed with something, but it can go a long way to prevent the onset of sev

RealAge, Inc. is an American media corporation that provides health information to consumers. The company’s stated mission is to encourage consumers to maximize their health and wellness by making their "RealAge" younger. It was founded by media medic, Michael Roizen , currently the chief wellness officer at The Cleveland Clinic . log on to realage.com So basically its a website which asks you a bunch of questions then it tells you what age you really are. It will ask you things like from 'how much do you drink' to 'how many orgasms do you have a week' and so on. It is a long quiz. Apparently since it started in 1999, 27 million people have taken the test. Guess everyone wants to live life to the youngest! So of course I took the test..and I am not revealing my real age. I was appalled to say the least! And now they are sending me all sorts of suggestions about how I can 'regain my youth' e.g:   Burn More Fat with These

I am featuring a series of a brave ordeal a friend of mine, Sarah Na'matovu, whom I went to medical school with, went through a few years ago. Her writing touched my heart. This story is about her heart. Heart surgery to be exact. This is the third and final part of her account. 7 May 2011 (cont) The nurse taking care of me was all about doctor's orders, that my request for pethidine fell on deaf ears. So that night I kept dosing off for about 10-20minutes per a hour. Most of the time I was up because of the pain. The next shift of nurses came in at 8am the next morning. There was this really nice nurse, all smiles. I saw an opportunity here and I siezed it (I was really in alot of pain). When she asked me how I had spent the night, I told her I had not slept and could she please give me a shot of pethidine. God bless her, she gave IT to me. The next thing I remember is being woken up for lunch which I wanted to pass in favour of sleep. The all-serious nurse came ba