Shaping Healthier Futures Through Storybooks

Fatima, an epilepsy patient, is from a family of farmers in rural Ethiopia. Her younger sisters all got married at a young age, at 16 or 17 years old. Sadly, due to the stigma surrounding epilepsy, Fatima remained unmarried into her late twenties and was somewhat ostracized by her community. Many people in her village considered epilepsy to be contagious or the result of a curse that could be transmitted to family members and children.

One day just before Fatima's 26th birthday she attended a family wedding. A cousin, who had heard about her epileptic neighbour receiving treatment and getting better after going to the health clinic in Asendabo, told Fatima about the miracle drug which had helped her neighbour so much. Fatima had faith in her cousin and so went to the clinic to see what could be done to help her. 

Within a few months of starting treatment Fatima's seizure's were under control. Now, four years later, she has told us she is happily married and has two healthy little boys. She also intends to continue with her high-school education when her boys get a little older. 

A 16 year-old boy had been brought to Jimma University Hospital by his father, with the problem of weight loss and extreme thirst and hunger. He was subsequently diagnosed with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes (Type one) and after receiving in-patient training on how to inject insulin, he was sent back home with sufficient insulin supply for two months. He continued his follow up every two months.

Two years later I saw the boy drinking the forbidden Coca-Cola before his visit for his blood sugar check-up and insulin refill. After several hours of individual and group health education on diets harmful to a diabetic, I was very disappointed to see him drinking that. When he arrived to see me in the clinic, he was apparently unaware that I have observed him practice the ‘taboo’. I asked him about his drinks after few minutes of chat and physical check-up. He was taken aback and after few minutes of hesitation confessed to me the following story…

After making six trips from his home in the Shebe area (60 km from Jimma by vehicle and four hours of walking) to the hospital, his father was unable to support him further. After a painful discussion the decision was made that the boy should stay in Jimma, working at manual labour and going to the hospital every month for his insulin. The boy had very serious difficulties with completing manual labour, finding a safe place to stay and finding enough food to eat. One day he heard a fellow patient, how he drinks Coca-Cola before each check up to acquire more insulin vials. He then sells his extra insulin to buy food and pay for rent. After hearing that, the boy decided to follow in his footsteps and acquire more insulin than he actually needed, to sell and earn a living.

This was a shocking story, but also an eye opener. My job isn’t simply medical, it is hugely impacted on by economic poverty. From that day on I started work to organize patients in to an association and establish some kind of self-help funding, so that patients can be economically empowered as well receiving health education and information. I know that this will continue to be a challenge.