At just 15, Rahma Jamila Hassan faced a daunting question from a doctor: “Why don’t you just get married?” This dismissive comment came as she struggled to attend school, a challenge she still faces at 24, amid ongoing health issues and a flawed Nigerian healthcare system.
Rahma’s experience highlights a broader issue; women often endure medical misdiagnosis and gaslighting more than men. For Rahma, her health crisis began with severe chest pain and anemia, leading to a cardiologist’s diagnosis of Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD). Despite treatment, including monthly injections, her condition did not improve.
Her journey included visits to various hospitals, including Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital and Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital. Despite assurances from doctors about the accuracy of her RHD diagnosis, her symptoms persisted. In 2019, after a hospital visit in Lagos, she learned she never had RHD. Instead, doctors suggested her lung issues might be the cause of her crises, although they remained uncertain.
Globally, chronic illnesses account for 63% of deaths, with a significant impact in developing countries like Nigeria, where many lack access to adequate healthcare. A study indicates that nearly 65% of Nigerians have experienced chronic illness.
Rahma’s health challenges extended beyond misdiagnosis. Recently diagnosed with asthma, further tests later revealed she did not have the condition. Alongside seizures, breathing difficulties, and anemia, she also grapples with severe side effects from medications. At 15, she experienced painful rashes and blood blisters, which were attributed to her medication.
Dr. Erin Nance, an orthopaedic surgeon, points out that gender bias in medical research often leads to misdiagnosis in women, as many studies have historically focused on men. This oversight can result in women experiencing adverse drug reactions.
Rahma once masked her health struggles to ease the concerns of those around her, leading to mental and physical exhaustion. This phenomenon, known as ‘health-related guilt,’ can result in isolation and poorer mental health. “When I was younger, I became severely depressed and started taking antidepressants,” she recalled.
The stigma surrounding chronic illness has compounded her struggles, making social interactions challenging. Her health issues forced her into isolation, and activities that once brought joy now often trigger painful flare-ups.
Education also suffered as a result of her health. Rahma dropped out of secondary school and began homeschooling, preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination. She faced setbacks when she did not gain admission to university on her first attempt but eventually enrolled at Kaduna State University, graduating in 2023.
Throughout her university years, supportive friends helped her navigate challenges, including taking exams while recovering from hospital stays. However, finding employment remains difficult due to the stereotypes surrounding chronic illness. “I can’t participate in service until I feel capable,” she said, noting that people often misunderstand her condition as a lack of effort.
Despite her health battles, Rahma strives to enjoy life. “I just try to stay alive while I indulge in activities I can while I can,” she shared, acknowledging the ongoing struggle of living with chronic illness.
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