By Ishmael Kindama Dumbuya
The current outbreak of Monkeypox in Sierra Leone is causing anxiety and uncertainty among many people regarding their health and safety. However, as someone who recently faced the sting of this virus, I wish to share a story of survival and offer practical advice on how to enhance self-protection and that of loved ones against this spreading infection.
So, what is this illness? Monkeypox is a viral disease similar to smallpox, but generally less severe. It is primarily transmitted through close contact with infected individuals or animals. Symptoms often include fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes, which can be alarming and lead to significant discomfort.
Yes, I contracted Monkeypox and yes, I have fully recovered from it, but honestly, I could not tell when, how or where I came in contact with this ugly virus. I started experiencing some of the signs and symptoms while on an official assignment in Bo, Southern Sierra Leone. I immediately took some precautions and bought a few medications as a temporary measure while awaiting my return home to Freetown.
Interestingly, while I was in Bo, some friends and colleagues called to hang out at night, but I declined due to the signs and symptoms I was experiencing. This may have further helped in controlling the spread of the virus. Most importantly, upon my return to the city, I continued to refrain from public appearances, even at work, to avoid contributing to the spread of the virus.
The other day, I went to the hospital. When it was confirmed that I had been diagnosed positive for the Mpox virus, I realised I was in serious trouble and needed to undergo serious medical treatment as soon as possible to overcome the virus. Expectedly, as I write, I am healed. I vividly believed and knew that some people were musing anxiously, trying to find myway about, especially when visibly absent from work and other social activities.
On an important note, I decided to break the stigma by first accepting the reality of the virus in the country and second by adhering to the advice of medical practitioners as the only options that could help save any infected person from the spreading disease. Throughout this process, and with the ulterior motive of preventing the widespread diffusion of my infection, I chose to keep my status off the radar to avoid causing any panic in the workplace and my community, and to wait until I am properly healed. Indeed, as I write this, I am healed. I firmly believed and knew that some people were anxiously speculating about my whereabouts, especially when I was visibly absent from work and other social activities. Anyway, I am back. Praise God.
To be candid enough, being infected with the Mpox virus is terrifying, and frankly, it is something you wouldn’t wish for your worst enemy. The treatment is both painful and distressing, and my advice to anyone is that if you don’t want to experience terror, please heed to the advice of health professionals and directives from the National Public Health Agency. The virus is real and spreading. It’s not fun.
In my case, praise and a big thumbs up to the professional health workers at the Dwazark Community Health Center who did an amicable job in ensuring that I regain my health status. The professionalism of the State Enrolled Community Health Nurses in the persons of Madam Nancy Yokie and Rugiatu Kargbo, as well as the Community Health Officer, Mr. Anthony Bangura,in executing their work was top-notch and commendable. The Dwazark Community is seemingly becoming an epicenter, and the presence of these nurses in that community is increasingly helpingthe recovery of patients. They have shown that what Doctors can do, Nurses can do as well. I think the NPHA or the Ministry of Health should take note of their enviable work.Amid my treatment, here comes a post reporting the death of a prominent social media figure in the name of Black Coffee. It was astonishing, right? Bewildered by the passing away of Black Coffee with all the infuriating social media fake cause of death, I jokingly asked the nurses, “Can I survive this?” while ignoring all the conspiracy theories on social media. And they gave the expected hope. “You will be fine Kindama”.
During my isolation at home, I focused on self-care. For instance, staying hydrated, resting, and managing pain with over-the-counter medications were essential in my recovery process. I also kept in touch with friends and family through calls and video chats, which helped alleviate feelings of loneliness and potential psychological trauma. The internet and the DSTV were ready and active to watch at home, although there was an intermittent EDSA fault in my community. More importantly, the self-prepared “Lafidi” was always available. By the way, this is my favouurite food of all. Please, Madam Lovetta Juanah, keep that in mind and once more, thank you for your consoling and applauding messages of hope. You are indeed a useful soul and a dependable sister and best buddy. I wholeheartedly doff my hat for you, my useful and lovely friend. Madam Fatmata Kuyateh was also at the center as a dependable boss who could always reach out to inquire about my status and offer Divine prayers in her silence and Church, as well as updates on departmental progress from the workplace.
They say delay is dangerous. Indeed, it is. Interestingly, I was the one giving hope to some of my colleagues, doubting Thomases, who were skeptical of the Mpox vaccines and their efficacyfor people. I wasted lots of time promising to take the vaccine before the ultimate infection came across. This may not be disconnected from the fact that I survived the Ebola epidemic with no close relative of mine ever contracting the virus, even though I endured psychological embarrassment both at home and abroad, and isolation was the norm since I came from Ebola-ravaged Sierra Leone. The same could be said of the coronavirus, otherwise known as the “China Virus”, quoting my man, aka the GREAT Donald J. Trump. If you haven’t taken the vaccine, please do. It will help.
There are many lessons to learn from in life, whether you are infected with Mpox or faced with critical moments in the community you live in or even in your working environment. This is the time you would know real friends and some of those who would be slack-jawing at your calamities or predicament with morbid curiosity backed by hasty generalizations and conclusions, all in the interests of social amusement. Nonetheless, once there is God, some of us will always keep the faith, for calamities befall at the doorstep of any living soul at any divine timing. The bottom line is, God, who created man, saves man. And I am happy to live and tell the story of survival. God will continue to bless those who stand amid trouble without hesitation, hasty generalizations and may have stood in defense of your absence.
As the former President Ernest Bai Koroma used to say during the Ebola epidemic, this present situation is an extraordinary time, and an “extraordinary time needs extraordinary measures” to curb this virus in the country. Let’s do more to protect ourselves and our loved ones, as this Monkeypox is real and it’s not a joke.
My advice to everyone is to please practice good hygiene by washing your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after being in public places. Most importantly, if you can’t practice abstinence at this moment, please practice safe sex and avoid close contact with symptomatic individuals.If available, please consider getting vaccinated against Monkeypox. The virus is real.
However, surviving Monkeypox was a challenging experience, but it taught me valuable lessons about health, resilience, human relations and the importance of the Community Health Centers across the country.
