Sick in Sudan

Since my two years and a half in
Sudan, it’s the first time I get sick. I’m allergic to dust and my eyes are allergic to heat; forcing me to wear sunglasses. I can’t control the dust and end up sneezing each time a dust storm picks up. Because of my eyes, I avoid going outside during noon due to the hot air that blows around. Ever since dad arrived I’d had to go out with him at daytime since all government institutions close after noon. My eyes couldn’t take it and remained red for days on and one morning I woke up with my eyes puffy and sticky. I ran for the closest mirror and found dried pus under my eyes…I knew enough medicine to guess that it was conjunctivitis; a serious problem. 

I dressed and headed for the best optical center in the capital; known for its specialists from Pakistan and
Europe. I got checked & prescribed some medicine. 

Just the next day I had a headache that wouldn’t go away  after several Panadol tablets. I woke up the next morning feeling half dead and not able to stand for minutes without feeling dizzy so I got a cab to one of the public hospitals. After hours of waiting and being drained of blood from their lab tests…they issued me two sets of tablets; some aspirin and some other drug that literally healed me after the first one. I was up and running in a couple of hours again. That stuff was so strong a couple of tablets at one time could put me to sleep for good…