In the olden days, many Africans, including Nigerians, relied on herbs when they were sick. Even pregnant women used leaves and herbs to help with giving birth. But as cities grew and modern medicine became available, fewer people used herbs.
Now, things have changed. Modern medicine is expensive, so some pregnant women are choosing herbal care because it costs less.
For example, Mrs. Anirat Hassan had her baby using herbs because she couldn’t afford the hospital. She paid much less for herbal care than she would have at the hospital. Mrs. Mercy Folorunsho also wanted to go to the hospital, but it was too expensive, so she tried herbs instead.
But sometimes, using herbs doesn’t work out. Mrs. Folorunsho’s baby got sick and died shortly after birth. Mrs. Adeolu Folawe was shocked by the high prices of medicine at the hospital.
Behind the scenes, hospitals are struggling too. The cost of medicine and running the hospital keeps going up. This means people have to pay more when they go to the hospital.
Now, herbal remedies are becoming popular again because they are cheaper. But it’s still important to see a doctor, especially if you’re pregnant. Healthcare is complicated, and we need to find ways to make it affordable for everyone.