“Malt and milk give blood” — Nurse recounts argument with a patient
A nurse has shared her experience with a patient who insisted that drinking malt and milk could increase blood levels, despite being diagnosed with anaemia and advised to take prescribed medication.
The healthcare worker recounted the incident in a viral video, using it to caution the public against relying on common misconceptions instead of professional medical advice.
Nurse recounts disagreement with patient
According to the nurse, the patient visited the hospital for a full blood count test. After reviewing the results, the doctor reportedly told the patient she might eventually need a blood transfusion but should first begin taking haematinics.
Explaining the encounter, the nurse said:
“This woman came in this morning for a full blood count test and after the result came out, she saw the doctor. The doctor told her that she would likely need a blood transfusion but for now, let her start haematinics.”
She said she explained that the prescribed treatment included folic acid, iron supplements and B-complex vitamins.
However, the patient reportedly insisted that she usually treated her anaemia by taking malt and milk.
“She said that she doesn’t take milk. She has been battling with this anaemia for a long time. She said that’s what she normally takes to clear it, to clear it is milk.”
The nurse said she corrected the claim, explaining that milk is not a blood tonic.
“I said, ‘Ma, milk is not blood tonic. It does not give blood.'”
According to the nurse, the patient strongly disagreed and questioned her professional knowledge.
“She said, ‘Why would I say that milk does not give blood? Everybody knows that milk gives blood.'”
Nurse advises patients to follow medical treatment
The nurse said the patient eventually bought the prescribed haematinics because the doctor recommended them, but she feared the medication might not be used.
She urged people diagnosed with anaemia to rely on professional medical advice rather than popular beliefs.
“If the doctor says that you are anaemic, if the doctor says that your blood level is low, go and take haematinics. Or if the doctor has requested for a blood transfusion for you, take that blood transfusion.”
She concluded with a warning against depending on malt and milk as a treatment for low blood levels.
“Don’t go and be taking malt and milk and all those things that people used to take. It will not work. Malt and milk does not give blood.”
Watch the video here…
Nurse shares her experience after a patient argued that malt and milk gives blood
pic.twitter.com/YsxjK3So4x— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) July 14, 2026