Its all about (Part 2) Dr Masikara On Asthma and Allergies

On a day-to-day basis, I am taking or eye inflammation.

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that treat certain eye-health conditions. WITH IN RELATION TO EYE CARE?

enomt s like allergic reactions, which we have If there’s an eye infection or an WHAT WHAT ARE CONCERNS THE MAJOR DO MOST CHALLENGES OF

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medications to correct eye infections are faced with are blindness and ayneahWyHoATuCaOrNeCEcRoNrSreDcOtM, oOvSeTrOFthe years as

YOUR PATIENTS PRESENT?

medical professional we have noticed allergic

Major challenges that Batswana medicationstocorrecteyceoinnfedcittioionsns ahraevfeacebdeewnithoanreabslitnedandesys ranisde . Study after study has also confirmed that .It’s thought to be linked to a number of factors like rise in pollution, over use of antibiotics, over use of chemicals in our diet, lotions soaps and many other items in our environment .

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND HOW YOU GOT STARTED ON THIS CAREER PATH?

My name is Dr Mbaakanyi Kris Masikara , I am Kalanga boy who grew up in Francistown. I am a father, husband and the medical professional .I finished my undergrad in 2006 worked for a short time then in 2011 I joined the Paediatrics program at the university of Botswana, after I finished I worked for ministry of health. I then realised we were beginning to have lots of children and adults with allergic conditions in Botswana and there was no specialist in that area. The Ministry of Health then agreed to sponsor me to go do that with the university of Capetown, which then gave rise to the The allergy center.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DO?

I am trained in Paediatrics and Alllegy as

HOW DO YOU DIAGNOSE AN ALLERGY? WHAT METHODS ARE USED?

The history from the client is very important and then we usually do tests to confirm out suspicions. When it comes to tests we have 2 types of tests . We can do blood tests and we can also do skin testing which is quick, can be done in the office, and can give results within 10 to 15 minute

IS THERE A PARTICULAR TYPE OF ALLERGY OR TREATMENT YOUR PRACTICE SPECIALIZES IN?

At present we don’t specialise in any particular allergy treatment. We help our clients with diagnosis of food allergies, environmental allergies and occupational allergies. What do you love about your job? Working with children is extremely fulfilling. You can get to help the child and family understand what’s going on and seeing them improve and flourish is the most satisfying thing .

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORKWEEK LOOK LIKE?

To be honest I think I work every day of the week. Every morning my day starts with a drive to Bokamoso Private hospital where I see admitted children then at 1030am I drive to my office in Setlhoa were I spend the day until 5pm . I also cover the hospital for any emergencies that might arise day or night.

TAKE US THROUGH WHAT A CONSULTATION WITH YOU WOULD ENTAIL?

When a client calls the office and they book for an appointment,my office usually tells them what to expect on the day and what medications they need to avoid incase we need to do testing in the office.

We usually start with a full history which includes past medical history and list of all medications used in the past and from that we can formulate a plan for how best we can help this particular clients.

1st time visits are usually longer than repeat visits as we need take a more detailed history at first contact.

If at the end of the consultation we need to do tests , we can do them in the office and be able to give you answers in about 10 to 15 minutes .

WHAT ARE THE COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS THAT PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?

Some of our clients think we can cure allergies but we cant, we help understand what’s going on and how best to manage them either by avoidance or with medication.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ALLERGY RELIEF PRODUCT?

I don’t have any favourite allergy relief product .What we give depends on what would work for this particular clients