I was recently gifted some money and thought long and hard on what to do with it. In the country we live, medical care is considered to be great on a global scale, but for those of us who are immigrants, we know how inconsistent and lacking the system is.

More importantly, it is always important to understand that the western medical practices are not aligned with African ailments and general health concerns from people who were born in tropical countries.In my own country of residence, medical results are only read to you if the tests show something is wrong. Otherwise nobody tells you anything.

Many immigrants (Africans especially) tell each other how they should do a full body check-up when they return to their countries. While the doctors in the western world are okay in treating regular ailments, doctors from our countries of origin are more likely to treat us accurately given our backgrounds. 

Medical treatment in Kenya can be very expensive, especially in private medical institutions, and when one pays out of pocket. Because I had reason to believe that I needed a check-up, I decided to put the money to good use and invest in my health.

Some of the things I worry about constantly as a mother of two young ones are: “Am I healthy enough to live a long life with my children?” “Am I fit enough to keep up with the little ones?” “Is the lack of sleep and self-care slowly killing me on the inside?”

It’s scary not knowing you can be sick without having any indications of being sick. It is also scary being sick; the only thing that helps is having the full picture and knowing how to tackle your diagnosis. 

I spent a whole week running up and down, seeing multiple doctors, doing several tests and scans to come up with a clear picture of the health status of my physiology. Even though there are multiple flaws with our medical system, not to mention how ridiculously expensive it is, there are some redeeming qualities. 

It is only in countries like Kenya where one can see the top doctors in the country very fast and with minimal referrals and appointments. For instance, most doctors have consultation clinics at some of the major hospitals. They would all be available around the same days and times. I manage to see two separate doctors who are the top in their respective fields on the same day. Something that is absolutely impossible to do in any European country. 

While we complain about a lot in Kenya, going through this process has made me appreciate that the system works if you have money and the patience to persevere through the long waiting times.

It has also made me appreciate my good health. I have a newfound relationship with my health. As a mother, I prioritise everyone's health but my own, and I realise that without me being a well-oiled machine, the whole family will fall apart.

Most Africans have a skewed perspective on general check-ups since they believe in doing tests only when there is something wrong. By that time, it's often too late to take proactive measures, and sometimes too late for any kind of treatment. 

As I edge cautiously towards the forties (yikes!), I want to approach them more bravely than my ancestors. I would like to be at the peak of my physical condition.

I would like to be proactive when seeking out things that might be harmful for me healthwise, and work at treating them instead of shying away from knowing the possibility of having something amiss with my condition.

I wish that more people would take a braver and more proactive approach as they age gracefully.