SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2018
A PUBLICATION OFF
Extra
Halima Hayatu Why I like doing impossible things Hi there!
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elcome to another interesting edition of Tambari Extra. We all have that one time when out homes feel clustered and air tight. Guess what you don’t need to stress yourself hiring a professional to de-cluster your home. You too can de-cluster
like an expert with the few tips we have in our luxury living segment. Do you have sweet tooth and its beginning to affect your health? Well, you’ll be doing yourself a lot of good by taking the drastic decision to quit sugar now. Read all about that on our healthy living page. We have also got interesting news for you on our society news segment. Social media queen Aisha Alubankudi turned fifty, also Baroness Halima Dehinde-Fernandez started a
Declutter with ease
Potato and fish pepper soup W R by AMINA ALHASSAN b
Directions Pour a small quantity of water into a clean pot and set on the stove (medium heat). The water should just cover the bottom of the pot. Add the ground nutmeg, black
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LU X U RY L I V I N G
CULINARY
ainy! Then this is the perfect meal for this season. It’s one meal that is sure to keep you warm and feeling good all day long. Irish potato is in season and fish is everywhere. So when next it rains, you know the right dish for you. Ingredients for potato and fish pepper soup • 5 medium Irish potatoes • 300g of fresh fish • 10 medium shrimps • 1 red onion • 2 habanero peppers • 1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg • 1 big stock cube • Black pepper • scent leaves • 3 bay leaves (optional) • Salt (to taste) • Water
new chapter in her life as she got married. Our cover personality is Hajiya Halima Hayatu, this interesting personality takes us through how she braced all odds to become the first northern air hostess at the Nigerian Airways. Get inspired by her story. Have a splendid day! – Amina Alhassan
pepper and stock cube be (crushed). Stir and gently place ce the pieces of fish in thee pot. Once the bottom m heats up; turn thee fish around so that allll sides get some heatingg and become tough. When the fish iss well heated all over, remove them from the pot and add the potatoes. Add water to cover the potatoes, add the bay leaves and start cooking on high heat till the potatoes are cooked, but not soft. Add the shrimps and cook for two minutes. Add the fish (gently), the onions and pepper and cook for two minutes. Then take out the fish and add salt to taste. Note: Take the fish out gently so
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that it remains intact. Stir to make sure everything is incorporated. Sprinkle the scent leaves on top. That’s it. Enjoy it with a chilled drink.
Cinnamon, ginger and lemon drink
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any people drink lemon ginger tea every morning to refresh. But do you know that this tea does more than just rejuvenating you? Not only is it super easy to prepare, but it also gives you an array of health benefits: like curing nausea, headache and common cold. Ingredients • 2 lemons • 3 cinnamon sticks • Fresh ginger • Water
• Honey to taste How to prepare Wash lemons and ginger. Slice lemons; peel and thinly slice ginger. Place lemon slices, ginger slices and cinnamon sticks in a large pitcher; fill container with water and bring to boil. Set aside after 30 minutes to cool for about an hour before adding more lemon. Add honey and store in a refrigerator. Serve chilled.
Compiled by AMINA ALHASSAN
hat’s worse than having a long and tiring day at work and then coming back home to find it in a mess. Be it the sticky kitchen counters, unattended laundry or unorganised shoe closet, we all struggle to find the time, motivation and tools to stay on top of everything when it comes to having a clean home. Below are tips to help you organise and declutter your home like a pro. No one wants to come to a dirty home. Kitchen: This is the most used room in a home and it’s most likely to be the dirtiest too. The best way to keep your kitchen clean and tidy is for meals to be planned; that way, you don’t end up throwing things inappropriately. It’s always wise to plan your cleaning routine the night before. If the menu is planned beforehand, then pre-cooking preparations can be done the previous night. This will help create less mess in the morning. Living room: Have you had situations where visitors and even members of the family walk into the living room with their shoes on? Annoying right! The living room is prone to a lot of dust and dirt, and this is made worse when people come in with their shoes, especially when the shoes are scattered all over. To help declutter this scenario, it will be best if somewhere outside the home is carved an inscription, “Your shoes are safe here.” This way everyone knows they are not to bring their shoes inside the house. The living room also suffers from careless drops on table tops and shelves. We should try as much as possible not to clutter table tops and shelves with unnecessary items just because the space is there. Bedroom: The most relaxing place after a tiring day is the bedroom. But when the bedroom is cluttered and airtight it can be irritating and no form of relaxation can be achieved there. Try as much as possible to keep your room simple and free of unnecessary items. Most people litter the bedroom with work-related stuff and even kitchen stuff (teacups, spoons, plates, bottles etc.). A shelf at one corner of the room will help put things in order. Towels should and must remain in the bathroom or laundry room. Also, make it a habit of restoring things to their original positions. Bathroom: Why do people keep storing empty shampoo, toothpaste and soap cartoons in the bathroom? I just don’t get it. Toss them out! Your bathroom should be arranged in a unique and simple way to enable you locate items when you need them. Bathroom hangers, shelves and sink towels can come in handy here as they create space and make the environment neat. With these easy steps, decluttering could be fun rather than a tasking adventure. With additional nal information from the internet
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HAJIYA HALIMA HAYATU // CO V E R
Why I like doing impossible things - Hajiya Halima Hayatu Interview by AMINA ABDULLAHI, YOLA
Hajiya Halima Hayatu was the first air hostess in northern Nigeria. She was a Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Adamawa State, and mobilizer, Women4women Movement. She is presently the chairman, Board of the College of Health and Technology, Mubi. In this interview, she takes us through the journey of her life. Family background I was born to the family of Alhaji Ahmadu Wambai and Hajiya Hauwa Wambai on November 14, 1967 in Mubi-North Local Government Area of Adamawa State.I am the first in a family of 12 children. Academic background I started from Mubi Primary School and proceeded to Government Secondary School, Mubi. From there, I went to the University of Maiduguri, where I obtained a BSc, Economics. From there I went for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in Benue State. After theservice I came back to my state and got a job with the state government. I was posted to Government House, Yola, where I worked as an admin officer for three years. From there, I got a Federal Government job when I saw the advert of the Ministry of Aviation, precisely the Nigerian Airways. I was lucky to get the job. I joined the Nigerian Airways in 1993 as an air hostess. I worked for eight years, during which I got a lot of experience in flying. I met a lot of people. I travelled everywhere in Nigeria and abroad: New York, London, Jeddah, Paris etc. After eight years, I found out that I was not exercising my knowledge because you cannot compare flying with working in the office. One needs to apply lots of skills and knowledge when working in the office, but flying is entirely a different world of itself. I felt that my knowledge was being wasted, so I redeployed to the marketing department and joined the customer service department of the airline. I grew to the rank of manager, customer services before the airline was privatised by the Federal Government. I was in the Nigerian Airways for 12 years, from 1992 to 2004. When the airline was commercialised I came back home and joined politics. I contested twice for the House of Representatives, but unfortunately, I did not win. But I was given an appointment as a special adviser to the governor on international and domestic matters. After the first four years of former Governor Murtala Hammanyero Nyako, we went back for election and won again. That was when he elevated me to commissioner for women affairs. The present government of Senator Jibrilla Bindow also found me worthy and appointed me as the chairman of the Board of College of Health and Technology, Mubi. This is where I am serving presently. I am also the mobilizer for the Women4women Movement, Adamawa Chapter. Challenges faced in life The first challenge I encountered was when I took the decision to fly. It did not go well with my parents, being a small
I GREW UP IN THE BARRACKS WHERE THERE WERE A LOT OF NORMS YOU MUST OBEY. COMBINING BARRACKS RULES AND ISLAMIC VALUES WAS VERY TOUGH. BUT THAT MADE US STRONG AND AMBITIOUS family from a village and taking our culture and religion into consideration. This was coupled with the fact that the job was risky, so they were not comfortable with that. It was a big challenge to convince them, especially my mum. When I finally took the job, anytime I was on flight she was on her knees till when I would give her a call that I was back. When I got the job, I was the only female Muslim from the North flying. It was a back-breaking position because even my bosses did not believe that I could do the job. They thought I was a spy sent from the North. It was when they saw the passion in me that they realised I
was not a spy. Secondly, as a Muslim one would find it very difficult to get a suitor. That was because they always saw you operating above them, flying all over the world. You were always in money, being paid in dollars and pounds, though our salaries camein naira. So you had money and exposure and met people in very high positions. That scared them away. It was a challenge because it was difficult for you to see somebody that would tell you, “I love you.’’ There was no love. The third challenge was when I joined politics. You know how politics is; people call it a dirty game. But to me,
it is not a dirty game; it is the people that are in it. If the people vote for you, it is desperate politicians that will manipulate it and make sure the woman does not scale through. I have contested three times and the challenge was: “why should we allow a woman to represent us?’’ Life lessons There are a lot of lessons to be learned as you interact with people of different cultures, ideas, religions. For you to fit in, you have to be very versatile, calm, respectful and tolerant. When I was flying, it was the same thing. It was also the same thing when I joined politics. Most rewarding part of your career I will give it back to my flying years. I was having fun and making money at the same time. It was a period in my life that I can never forget. Anytime I reflect on it, it brings me joy and makes me feel fulfilled because of what I achieved at a very young age. Growing up Growing up was tough because my father was a military man. I grew up in the barracks where there were a lot of norms you must obey. Barracks life is very rough. But coming from a Muslim family in the northern part of the country, we also had our own rules, regulations and values to protect. Despite the fact that we were at the barracks we still had to obey the rules, regulations and values of an Islamic family. Combining barracks rules and Islamic values was very tough. But that made us strong and ambitious. Aspirations as a child My aspiration as a child was to fly. There was a day I was sitting outside my house during a holiday and I saw a woman driving a car. I was very surprised because she was the first woman I saw driving. When I told my dad that I had seen a woman driving a car, he said she was part of the women doing men’s job and must be from the South. Deep inside me, I said that one day I would drive my car. I did not want to be a Mubi girl; I liked travelling. My aspirations were to do things differently, things that were impossible, just to show the world that it was possible and a woman could do it. Childhood memories you miss most In the barracks you were made to relate with children of your father’s rank, but anytime we were at home I would see myself relating with my peers freely. There was segregation in the barracks. And we did not step out of the line. Even our mothers mixed with the class of women of their husbands’ ranks. Also, we were only allowed to speak English or Pidgin in the barracks. I cherished that and it will always remain in me. Joy of motherhood That’s a big experience for me because, as an air hostess nobody would even tell you, ‘I love you,’ except your colleagues. And most of them were from the southern part of the country and Christians. I knew it would be very difficult to bring such a person home. I was looking forward to a spouse from the North and a Muslim, and I did not see them. That made me not to get married at an early age. I got married at the age of 35. To have a baby was difficult, maybe because of the age. My first baby came when I was 40, so itwas a bundle of joy. We named her Firdausi because we
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HAJIYA HALIMA HAYATU // CO V E R prayed that she would end up in Firdausi. It was celebration galore. We celebrated her for six months. I cannot explain the joy. It is only the person that has gone through that experience that can feel such joy. How you met your husband It will interest you to know that I met my husband on my job. He came to buy a ticket but the flight was full.They told him that there was an Adamawa lady that could assist him. He came to me and was speaking Hausa, saying I should please help him get a ticket to Yola. He said his mother was sick and he needed to travel home, soI should do everything possible to assist him get a ticket. I looked at my manifest and put him on a standby position to fill in the gap in case anyone missed the flight. And behold, a whole family did not make it. That was how he got a seat. When he came back to thank me, we exchanged address because there was no mobile phone at that time. There was nothing like “I love you.’’ One day, as he was flying he found out that I was not married. He was surprised. Subsequently, he sent someone to me and later came himself to enable us know ourselves better. That was how it all started. Most cherished attribute of his He is very religious. Anytime he comes to me and it is time for prayers, he excuses himself and goes to the mosque to pray. That always excited me. He makes jokes and makes me laugh. He always has a story to tell me. He keeps me going and makes the relationship always alive. Top 5 on your wish list Some of my wishes have come true. One of them was to be able to hold positions that would enable me help people. During my time as the commissioner for women affairs I had the opportunity to help a lot of women and children. Another wish was to be a mother because I was very scared that at the age of 40, I would not have a child. And God has blessed me with a child. The third wish was to be able to become a good wife and mother to my family, especially my immediate family and in-laws. I wanted to be the number one and most admirable daughter-in-law. As a Muslim woman I wished to bring up the children God has given me in a very formidable Islamic background, as well as guide them through in their ambitions in life. Favourite music I like country music because it is full of memories. It calms your nerves. It makes the brain and body to relax. I also like party music because I love dancing. First app you check before going to bed and in the morning I made sure I go through my downloaded Qur’an every night before I go to bed, and it is the first thing I check after my morning prayers. Favourite fashion items I do not have a fashion item. I go with the vogue that is acceptable to my religion. Flat or heels? In those days it was heels, but now, with age it has to be flat.
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Most expensive fashion accessory Jewellery: women’s jewellery are very expensive, they can either be silver or gold. What you won’t be caught wearing I won’t be caught wearing indecent outfits. Favourite travel destination I love New York. I worked in New York for six months and made friends there. You cannot find the lifestyle in New York anywhere. How you relax I relax by watching television. Favourite quote Alhamdulillah, Ma sha Allah and AstagfirullAh. Favourite food I go with yam and chicken. Favourite perfume I always like Elizabeth Arden. Favourite bag and shoes I always go with Marc and Spencer. Mum’s advice that stuck with you She advised me never to play with my Salat (prayers). The deal we had with her before I joined the Nigerian Airways was to hold on to my prayers, even while flying. Favourite colour My favourite colour is black. Favourite car I love any new car as far as it is automatic. Favourite sport Football, I am an Arsenal fan. Favourite day of the week My favourite day of the week is Sunday because there is no work. Most weddings are on Saturdays. I like Sundays
because it gives me time with my family. Beauty regimen As a woman, your lifestyle always counts. I have never deviated from the fact that I am a Muslim from the North. We have our culture and values, one of which is to preserve our womanhood and hold our headshigh. I kept those values and it has helped me to maintain my spiritual life and physical body. I make sure that I preserve myself, knowing full well that one day I will be a mother and wife. Looking back, what would you tell a younger you? I will say “well done” because having grown up in both the barracks and home, I was able to scale through the challenges and pursue my goals and aspirations and came out successfully.
I WAS THE ONLY FEMALE MUSLIM FROM THE NORTH FLYING. MY BOSSES DID NOT BELIEVE THAT I COULD DO THE JOB. THEY THOUGHT I WAS A SPY SENT FROM THE NORTH
SOCIETY NEWS Compiled by AMINA ALHASSAN
Halima Dehinde-Fernandez begins another chapter It was all joy and excitement in Kano as glamorous Halima Fernandez married Rwandan billionaire entrepreneur and investment banker, Zubair Rudasingwa based in Europe. Baroness Halima Fernandez, widow of the late Belgium-based international businessman, Ambassador Anthonio Oladeinde Fernandez, who was devastated when her husband died has now moved on as she has found love again. It was an exciting day on the 10th of July in Kano for the Maudes and the Rudasingwas as the two families united for the holy solemnization of their children Halima Fernandez and Zubair Rudasingwa. It was a day of joy with loved ones from both families showering the couple with love and adoration. Baroness Halima took to her Facebook page to thank family and wellwishers for their support and blessings. She said, ‘A prayer of thankfulness for yet another beginning.’ Wishing her a happy married life.
Socialite Aisha Alubankudi turns 50
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nited Kingdom social media icon and one of Nigeria’s trending socialite turned fifty years on Monday the 9th of July. Been the queen of facebook as she is mostly called by some of her followers, the diehard Buhari fan took to her social media platforms to thank God for allowing her to reach the age fifty. She said, ‘Happy half a century to me, Ashiata of yesterday. Alhamdulillah, He has been too wonderful to me. I will forever glorify His name.’ Aisha sure got some accolades and assurance from her followers and friends to celebrate this golden jubilee. The ever gorgeous, mother and Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan board member sure had a lot of fun as she sure has a lot of groove for 50.
Nigerian designer youngest at 2018 NY Fashion Week
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9-year-old Nigerian designer, Taofeek Abijako has become the youngest designer ever to present a full collection at the New York Fashion Week. Abijako made history at the 2018 international fashion runway event tagged ‘New York Fashion Week: Men’s this year’ which held on the 11th of July when he presented his collection titled “Genesis” from his brand Head of State+ on the runway. Inspired by his vibrant childhood and multi-cultural upbringing, he developed a curiosity in design from a young age and fashion became his main outlet for artistic expression. He even launched his own label Head of State+ while at secondary school two years ago after he moved to the U.S. Taofeek is sure making Nigeria proud.
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B E AU T Y
TRENDS STYLE FASHION
Simple grooming tips for men by AMINA ALHASSAN very guy has his own way of taking care of himself, but I won’t be wrong when I say most men simply don’t care about hygiene, and interestingly, those who do sometimes do it wrongly. This week, we will be offering a few grooming tips for men. Hair Most men tend to want to shampoo every day; as a matter of fact, you are causing more damage to your hair than good. To enjoy a healthy hair, you may want to skip daily shampooing and switch to daily conditioning. Shampoo only once a week or once every two weeks. Be careful with hair care products. When you leave them on your scalp, they can damage tiny follicles and prevent growth. If you have dandruff, it’s possible you aren’t properly washing out the products from your hair. You could also suffer from eczema or seborrheic dermatitis. Talk to your doctor about this. It’s also recommended you stick to one barber instead of changing them frequently. Face To begin with, how you care for your face as a man largely depends on your skin type. Example, for normal, oily or dry hair, never use soap on your face. Most are too harsh and will strip oils and collagen from the dermal layer. Instead, use a gentle face cleanser that locks in moisture. If your skin is oily, it’s important to start
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using a cleanser with salicylic acid. You can get this product at almost any pharmacy. Use high quality facial moisturiser twice a day; this is key. Start focusing on your eyes daily. One of the first places your face will show age is underneath and around the eye area. And yes, please do trim eyebrows so that they appear even. Teeth You can have the most attractive skin in the world, but it’s all lost out if you have brownish and bad teeth. Let’s face it, people notice this when you are smiling. Use high quality fluoride toothpaste with whiteners. Floss at least once a day. This is an obvious point worth mentioning because many men don’t floss.
Please learn how to floss. Pick up a bottle of fluoride mouthwash. Most dentists recommend using ACT. It is recommended you rinse when you’re done brushing at bedtime. Visit the dentist at least two times a year. Hands The hands are one of the first areas that show signs of age. Most men tend to shy away from taking care of their hands, as in their opinion, once they have washed it; that’s ok. No, it’s not! It will do you well to get your hands professionally manicured at least once a month. Apply high quality moisturiser on your hands at least twice a day. For the feet, the harmattan exposes the lack of cleanliness of many, which sadly many men are guilty of. If you have rough heels, consider soaking in warm water for at least 15 minutes every two days and moisturise. General beauty tips Body odour can be embarrassing, and many do have it and don’t know or are simply ignorant. Make it a point of duty to have your bath morning and night. Use woody cologne. Drink at least 10 glasses of water daily to keep your body hydrated. Keep your beard and hair neat by brushing or combing them. Don’t forget to trim around your ear canal and earlobes (yes, hairs from these areas are a disgusting sight).
With additional information from the internet
DID YOU KNOW... THAT YOU COULD BE SABOTAGING YOUR SKIN BY FAILING TO MOISTURIZE?
H E A LT H Y L I V I N G
Reasons you should quit sugar now by AMINA ALHASSAN ajority of us are guilty of sugar addiction. For many of us, sugar has been an almost irresistible part of our diet from childhood. Have you ever tried to cut sugar from your diet for a week or two and noticed the huge difference in terms of skin texture, baggy eyes, sleep, cravings and sometimes none at all, weight and energy? It’s amazing the benefits you enjoy healthwise from cutting down on sugar. Kicking out sugar in what we eat can be very tasking and challenging even for the most strong-willed among us. It’s a battle; and many eventually give up. It’s a tough battle and so you must be mentally prepared for it. Below are some of the benefits you enjoy when you cut down on sugar, according to Dr. Habeeb Aliyu. It’s bye-bye to belly fat Everyone knows that daily sugary soda habit can pack on the pounds, especially around the tummy area. But what you may not realise is just how dangerous that is. Sugary fare spikes your blood sugar, triggering flood of insulin through your body, which over time encourages fat to accumulate around your middle. Such fats are considered dangerous as they travel to your organs and blood vessels, where they bring inflammation that can contribute to conditions like heart disease and cancer. So, when you cut back on pop and desserts, you’ll start reducing belly fat and the dangerous conditions that come with it. Visibly younger looking skin Too much intake of sugar triggers and ages the skin faster. Excess sugar intake also causes oily skin. The sugar in your diet affects the sugar in your blood stream. A body full of sugar can
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also reduce elasticity and prompt premature wrinkles. Cutting your sugar intake can help lessen sagging and other visible signs of ageing. The obvious sign is how lustrous, silky and brighter your skin becomes. Amazing boost of energy Added sugars are simple carbohydrates. This means they’re digested fast and enter your bloodstream quickly, providing that familiar rush. But once that shot of sugar is metabolised, you’re in for a crash. Less sugar gives you that long-lasting energy everyone needs. Sugar deactivates your immune system Eating or drinking too much sugar deactivates T-cells; the component in blood that fights bacterial infection. This effect can last anywhere from a couple of hours to an entire day, depending on how much you consume. If you find yourself getting sick a lot during cold and flu season, take a look at your sugar intake and remember, just one regular-sized can of soda is enough to turn off your immune system for an hour or more. Sugar leads to cardiovascular disease Sugar doesn’t just increase fat around the waist and in the liver. Over-consumption of sugar is also known to be a bigger cause of high blood pressure than salt. Between that and the increase in blood cholesterol and triglycerides, you’d better believe that your poor heart is struggling. So giving up sugar can prevent serious cardiovascular disease. Too much sugar intake makes us smell bad, leads to hair loss and it’s moneyconsuming. You can save a lot of money and get better health when you cut sugar off your diet. You can start now. With additional information from the internet
Dr. Nathaniel Adewole,
MOBILE: 0803 8039182 EMAIL: nadewole2013@gmail.com
SHOULD I REMOVE THE SECOND OVARY One of my ovary was removed ten years ago and I have three kids. Now it was discovered that my other ovary has a big ovarian cyst. The doctor says I may have to remove my second ovary. I am just thirty nine years, is it advisable? What of the supply of hormones to my body if the other ovary is removed? Zainab Well for you to have a big ovarian cyst at thirty nine, one must rule out the possibility of a malignancy. Maybe investigation like CA125 will help. Also a good ultrasound scan will give indications of whether malignant or benign. If you can afford it CT Scan or MRI could be of help. Meanwhile if it’s necessary the ovary should be removed. About the issue of early menopausal symptoms, hormonal replacement therapy will help.
SHORT INTER PREGNANCY INTERVAL I delivered last year August by Caesarean section and now I am six months pregnant. Can I have the baby on my own? Or do I have to pass through Caesarean section again? Mrs Murna Your inter pregnancy interval was short about four months, therefore is not advisable for you to have vaginal birth after Caesarean section. We normally advise those who had Caesarean section at least one year before next pregnancy or delivery interval of at least eighteen months to be able to give room for vaginal delivery. Please do not take unnecessary risk let your doctor book you for elective Caesarean section.
IS ANTIBIOTICS ONLY ENOUGH? I did a Pap smear test and the result showed inflammatory . My doctor only gave me antibiotics and told me to come back in six weeks time. Doctor, please am I not at risk of developing cancer? Chioma No you are not at risk of developing cancer. And your doctor is right to give you antibiotics based on that result. You need to repeat test in six months time.