NML Issue 10
NMLTT
2021
Protect.
Invest.
Together.
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INTERVIEW WITH ANDREW KYAMAGERO COVID-19! A PERSONAL BATTLE: A SURVIVOR'S TALE FROM CRITICAL ILLNESS TO REGAINING HEALTH In recent months, we have heard numerous stories of those we have lost to Covid-19. Very rarely, have we pursued stories of those who have suffered and subsequently recovered from Covid-19/. In this issue we catch up with two different essential workers, a well-established journalist, and a critical care nurse. These are stories of despair, resilience, hope, faith and survival. Andrew, kindly introduce yourself to our readers My name is Andrew Kyamagero, a journalist at NTV and the team leader of Omuntu Wawansi foundation. Am a father to 2 children and a husband to one wife. This is a great achievement and am proud of it (laughs)…
You have been very vocal in sharing that you are a survivor of Covid-19, can you share with us how all this started, what prompted you to test and confirm you had been infected with Covid-19? I got the first jab for Covid-19 Vaccination in April this year while I was reporting at a vaccination event. Around the first week of May, I got a headache and felt strange, but I refused to self-medicate. I went to see my doctor who gave me some medication and I got slightly better. On May 5th, - I got a pounding headache, started feeling weak, and developed very high temperatures. I told my supervisor that I was not feeling well and was granted permission to leave. I left work and drove home while panting, with bad joint aches, teary eyes, headache and was driving very slowly. Next time you are on the road and see someone driving slowly, ask them if they are ok instead of shouting at them. I reached home and called my wife who called my doctor. My doctor said that there were no beds at Mulago, and he advised us to go to Paragon Hospital in Bugolobi instead. When I reached Paragon Hospital I blacked out and I was put on life support machines. They did all the tests and that's how they confirmed I had Covid-19. Immediately I regained my consciousness and saw the machines, I knew this was Covid-19.
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