MEDfai Pharmacist

10/09/2025

If you want to understand why millions of Nigerians are silently digging their own graves, study the culture of self medication.

Whether we like it or not, it is one of the greatest threats to our survival as a people.

someone wakes up with a headache. Instead of seeking medical help, they stop by the nearest unregistered drug shop.

They buy a mixture of medication without a prescription.

They swallow it and feel better. But that’s how the story of slow poison begins.

Before you condemn them, ask yourself,
How affordable is healthcare in Nigeria?

The truth is, self medication is not just about ignorance

It's also about survival in a broken system.

Nigeria is tougher than rock now

A mother with a sick child and no money for consultation will rather try herbs, leftover antibiotics, or whatever a neighbor recommends.

Not because she hates doctors, but because poverty has made sickness an economic crime.

That is simply survival.

In this part of the world, people are not living healthy, they are just trying to survive.

But you know what? Life is already not fair.

Your body won’t fail you just because you have been suffering since you were born.

Your body will thank you and stay healthy because you are careful of what enters your mouth

But let me tell you….

Survival mode always comes with a hidden bill.

The kidney shuts down years later

The liver will no longer detoxify.

The antibiotic resistance that makes simple infections untreatable walks in

Some of us are in survival mode.

You see people around you abusing painkillers, swallowing antibiotics for every cough, or mixing alcohol with drugs and you keep quiet.

Not because you don’t care, but because you know shouting won’t change a system built on poverty. But deep down, you know this culture is killing us silently.

Transformation will come when ordinary citizens start asking questions

Why can’t hospitals be more affordable?

Why can’t pharmacies insist on prescriptions?

Why do we wait until sickness becomes terminal before taking it seriously?

The most dangerous diseases are not the ones we are already familiar with.

The most dangerous diseases are the ones hidden behind packets of cheap tablets/ fake products sold daily without control.

Your health is worth more than the money you are saving while cutting corner

While you do the right thing, your daily prayers should be

Dear God, do not let me pay with my health for the failures of this system.
Keep me wise enough to seek help at the right time, even when survival mode feels easier.

08/09/2025

I tried the Enugu bus terminal today for the first time.

As of today, the longest route the Enugu bus terminal covers is from Holyghost bus station to Nsukka.

Earlier today, I had to pick up a document in Nsukka, and I decided to try this bus for the very first time since it was launched a few days ago.

First, I bought my Ije Card for ₦250, funded it, and discovered the fare to Nsukka was ₦2,200.

Now, compared to other travel options, I must admit it was more relaxing.

Nobody squeezed me and I didn't soak my clothes in sweat because the AC was working perfectly, but the much advertised WiFi was not there and that was part of the reason the price went up.

Another thing I noticed is that people still need to be sensitized about how this transport system works.

If you are in a hurry, you would be disappointed because it takes longer time to get filled up by passengers.

But one thing I felt inside the bus was safety and comfortability.

Overall, I will say it’s a good service.

But the fare is still too high.

For a state owned CNG powered bus, the government should really consider reducing the price to make it more affordable for the average person.

Have you boarded the bus before ? What was your experience?

MEDfai Pharmacist

07/09/2025

Back when I worked in a community pharmacy prior to my internship placement, I noticed something interesting.

People just wouldn’t stop buying supplements.
Some believed they needed them for glowing skin.

Others swore by them to stay healthy or boost the immune system.

Not every supplement you swallow is helping you.

Some are slowly hurting you.

Let me explain….

Some people believe the more supplements they swallow, the healthier they will be.

The truth..

Your body is not a dumping ground for capsules and tablets.

Supplements are meant to help the body, not to replace real food.

When you take them wrongly, one out of many possible things can happen.

They overload your organs.

example

Too much Vitamin C could lead to Kidney stones.
So what makes supplements actually work?

Not prayers.
Not guesswork but Knowledge.

Consult your health care provider

Taking the right form, at the right dose, at the right time.

But instead of eating fruits, vegetables, fish, beans, and native soups
You’re swallowing ten tablets of immune booster with an energy drink.

You are afraid of eating too much food but you are overdosing on synthetic capsules.

If your supplement is wrong, your health is at risk.

Let’s feed people the truth. Not hype.

Always Consult your pharmacist

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MEDfai Pharmacist

05/09/2025

Sometimes, the biggest difference in a patient’s journey isn’t medicine, it's a little compassion…..

I had gone into the ward that day to reconcile patients’ prescriptions and to find out if anyone was experiencing difficulties with their medications.

As usual, I took a careful look through their drug boxes and engaged some patients and their relatives in conversation.

While I was there, I noticed one particular patient who seemed restless, almost as though she wanted to say something but couldn’t bring herself to speak.

I gently asked if there was any problem, but everyone around her said, NO
though she didn't say anything.

Satisfied🤗, I turned to leave and suddenly I heard a soft voice from behind me.

Pharm, sorry sir.

I want to ask you something
I paused and turned back, giving her my full attention.

She pointed towards another patient lying quietly on the bed.

She explained that the woman had been scheduled for surgery, but due to financial constraints, the procedure could not be carried out.

The patient had already paid for laboratory investigations and purchased all the operation drugs that were supplied in preparation for the surgery.

But when her relatives tried to seek a refund for the drugs since they were never used the request was denied.

As she spoke, I could feel the weight of helplessness in her tone.

It wasn’t just about drugs or refunds it was about a family battling poverty.

I asked them to explain the steps they had taken to apply for the refund. They described everything in detail, and it was then I realized they had followed the wrong route all along.

Patiently, I asked more questions, listened carefully to their answers, and collected some of their details.

When I got back to the office, I pulled up their profile from our database and went through it thoroughly. After carefully reviewing, I knew I could help.

So, I went ahead and completed the necessary processes myself.

Later, I returned to the ward and quietly pulled the patient’s relative aside. In a low voice, I explained where and how he could obtain the refund and guided him on how to navigate the entire process, especially if they decided to reschedule the surgery.

As I turned to leave, the relative could no longer hold back his joy. He began to share the news with everyone around the ward.

Suddenly, the atmosphere changed 😌faces lit up, gratitude everywhere, and some even struggled to hold back tears.

To me, it was just a little act of kindness
something within my power and duty to do. But to them, it was a massive favor.

They couldn’t stop thanking me, and in that moment, I felt deeply fulfilled.

This experience is just one of many.

Have you heard any experience in the hospital you really didn't like or the one that you loved so much?

What were your experiences like?
Share in the comment section

04/09/2025

A family torn apart by fire

Upon arriving at work, I discovered that new patients had been admitted. I proceeded to the ward to assess their conditions.

While still in the emergency ward, I found a man gasping for breath, severely burnt.

I then proceeded to obtain the patient’s medical history and the cause of the accident/burns…

The woman was in the kitchen, cooking, when her husband walked in to join her.

You know those lovey-dovey moments of a newly married couple, playfully teasing each other while stirring the pot of soup, tasting, laughing, and eating together.

But suddenly, just as they were enjoying their little romantic moment, the generator in the mini powerhouse went off. Instantly, darkness covered the whole house.

The man quickly picked up his phone, turned on the flashlight, and headed to the generator house.

He wanted to find out what went wrong. Was it fuel, or something else?

When he got there, he held his phone between his teeth while lifting a small gallon of petrol, intending to refill the generator.

Unfortunately, just at that moment, a call came in and Sparks flew, and in the blink of an eye, the entire place caught fire.

He screamed, and his wife, upon hearing his voice from the kitchen, rushed out to rescue him.

Sadly, in the process, both of them were swallowed in the flames.

Standing, I couldn’t help but reflect on the weight of what happens everyday.

Everyday, lives are changed here
sometimes saved, sometimes lost.

Inside, patients arrive in pain, fear, and uncertainty.
Families wait with trembling hands, praying for a miracle.

Healthcare workers rush in and out, fighting against time to preserve life and restore hope.

Burn accidents happen in seconds, but their scars can last a lifetime. The kitchen and generator house are two of the most common danger zones in our homes.

Most fire tragedies begin with small negligence.

A little care in handling cooking gas and generator fuel can save your home, your health, and your life.

Prevention is always better than cure.

For me, taking this picture was more than just capturing a moment. It was a reminder of the responsibility we all carry.
🙇🙇🙇

03/09/2025

I do not have a playlist but if I jam a well curated playlist, I would enjoy it more than the owner.

This morning, I woke up with that weird feeling of should I go to work today or just send a message across to my senior pharmacist that I would not make it to the office today.

After a long thought between me, my thoughts and my bed. I finally hit the bus stop to board a bus.

When I entered the bus, I realized the driver had taken his time to set his playlist. Not the usual random radio noise that comes out of nowher.

No, this one was intentional. From the first beat, I could tell he wanted everyone inside to enjoy the ride.

I normally sit stiff, looking out the window while waiting to arrive at my bus stop.

But this morning was different. Before I knew what was happening, I had started nodding heads.
I looked at other passengers, Some already had mouthed lyrics under their breath. A few even hummed. It was like the bus transformed into a small moving party, strangers united by sound.
Truly, music doesn't need permission.

The music carried me away from thoughts of work stress, deadlines, and the day ahead.

For a moment, I wasn’t rushing to get somewhere. I was just present, enjoying the ride with other random humans.

But like all good things, it ended at the last bus stop. I stepped down, and the music stayed behind. The city noise swallowed me immediately.

Still, I carried the vibe in my head. Sometimes it doesn’t take much to shift the tone of your whole day just a driver who knows how to pick the right playlist.

Blissful new day

02/09/2025

Think of a small room in a serene environment. Inside that room, there’s a soft bed, inside that room also, there are security men whose job is to cover that bed with a blanket so that guests don't come inside and peel off the surface of the bed.

Now, when you feel pain and you take a pain relief medicine like ibuprofen or diclofenac or any other type, guess what happens? The medicine is like a guest who tells the security men inside the room( your stomach) to go and rest, no need to work today.

So the security men(prostaglandins) will leave.

The blanket ( the walls of the stomach) becomes thin and the guest starts scratching and biting the soft bed surface. That biting or scratching is one of the major causes of stomach ulcer.

They just chase away the bodyguards that protect your tummy.

You see eehh!

The more often you take pain killer drugs the more guests you create in your tummy and more vulnerable your stomach is to catching stomach ulcer.

Should you not take pain drugs?

No, Speak to your health care provider

Do not take pain drugs carelessly.

Not every pain occasions requires the intake of pain drugs.

Consult your pharmacist.

Speak to your health care providers.

01/09/2025

Sizzling hot and fresh out the oven.🤗

01/09/2025

At first, I thought I was in a relationship.
The late nights, the early mornings, the constant thinking about it even when I wasn’t supposed to…

it felt like love.

But then it hits me, this wasn’t romance with a person. It was me, falling in love with growth.

For a while now, I’ve been on a paid internship, and honestly, it has been just like being in a relationship.

You need patience when things don’t go your way.

You learn the power of communication and teamwork.

You realize that commitment, showing up daily, is what builds trust and results.

The best part is that growth rewards you when you stay consistent, just like any solid relationship does.

So as we step into a new week and a new month, here’s my encouragement to you
Fall in love with your process.
Stay committed even when it feels slow.
Celebrate progress, no matter how small.

September is here and I believe it’s bringing fresh lessons, open doors, and plenty of wins for us all.
Happy new week and happy new month

What’s one thing you’re committing to this month to keep your own growth alive?

07/03/2025

The hospitals are few, the internship slots even fewer, and many are left to either wait indefinitely or seek alternatives outside their profession.

Faith, to me, is not just about religious conviction but also about trust in my skills, the will to overcome systemic barriers, and the hope that my sacrifices will one day lead to a more functional healthcare system.

Thirteen months after graduating, I have seen the highs and lows of being a young pharmacist in Nigeria. I got a job; I lost a job. I have worked under conditions that tested my patience and resilience. I have stepped into health facilities where the walls whisper “neglect” and overwhelmed healthcare workers doing their best with so little.

I have met patients who couldn’t afford essential medications, watched prescriptions rewritten to match financial constraints rather than clinical needs. I have seen how knowledge alone is not enough, how survival in this system demands adaptability, persistence, and, sometimes, a quiet acceptance of things beyond one’s control.

The journey is tough, but the mission remains clear: to keep pushing, to keep learning, and to keep hoping for better days in Nigerian healthcare.

I am working on a video documentary about my post-graduation journey experiences as a pharmacist in Nigeria. We could stay alive if we have the right information. Stay with me.

MEDfai Pharmacist☘️

06/03/2025