We had just been introduced to each other and were now having tea. ‘Ah, so you are a doctor! I have a concern that has been disturbing my mind.’ I sat up and listened. This is a common line and quite frankly, as a doctor, I enjoy it, even in a social setting. It reminds me of my role in…

What is Malezi Bora? It is an initiative by Ministry of Health and partners to promote use of routine health services for mother and child in all health facilities. You can promote good health and well being of children through the following key steps: 1. Healthy pregnancy: As soon as you know you are pregnant,…

*Mary Obilisi had been waiting in the Monday morning down pour for the offices of a human rights NGO to open. *Mark, her husband of 14 years, who had infected her with the HIV virus on the second year of their marriage through marital rape had brutally assaulted her with a knife, destroyed her month’s dosage of ARV…

Funny things parents say If you don’t finish your food Richard (neighbour’s younger kid) will grow taller than you. To a crying six-year-old boy. ‘A-a-ah! Stop that. Men don’t cry.’ I am going to the market, take of care my child. If I meet the child crying or if you make him fall, you will…

Fever is not a new word to parents. Most children will get fever at some stage. It remains the biggest cause of hospitalization among children. Fever is defined as a rectal temperature of over 38.0°C. Often, temperature readings taken at other parts of the body are lower. Fever itself is not life-threatening unless it is extremely…

It is one of those seasons of the year when it is warmest and it gets us feeling the heat and sweat. The days are characteristically longer than the nights and everyone seems to be in high spirits for outdoors activities. Yes, you may still be working but your children are definitely having time off…

Gentlemen can do better! ‘This business of you just filling your stomachs and leaving (the dining room) as if nothing has happened has to stop!’ our high school headmaster would warn us. He had been irked by our tendency of leaving plates on tables after meals for the cooks to clean. Considering that we were…

I have three little teachers in my house. Well, one of them is no longer so little. The point, however, is that although we adults are bigger, stronger and should probably know better, there are times that we end up learning so much more from our children than teaching them. If we look closely enough,…

Diapers are one of the most essential items in the shopping list for a baby. This is because a newborn needs diaper change at least twelve times a day for the first few months of her life. The frequency, however, reduces with a baby’s development and growth. The parents’ choice of the type of diaper…