Medical experts in Kano have warned Nigerians about the dangers of self-medication and the misuse of antibiotics, saying they lead to avoidable deaths.
The experts warned about this at a sensitization program organized by the Department of Medical Microbiology at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, AKTH, to mark this year’s World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW).
WAAW is a global campaign celebrated from 18 to 24 November to raise awareness and understanding of AMR and promote best practices among One Health stakeholders to reduce the emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.
This year’s theme is “Educate. Advocate. Act now.”
At the event, a Microbiologist, Dr. Usman Yahaya Umar, laments the misuse of antibiotics, stressing that “such attitudes could lead to one’s death”.
Dr Usman, who also serves as the HOD of the Department of Medical Microbiology at AKTH, identified AMR (Antimicrobial resistance) as a “global health threat, saying it undermines the effectiveness of antibiotics to combat infections and diseases.”
According to him, “A patient’s illness could be worse if they failed to conduct a proper test before going for medication, patronizing roadside medical vendors, and indulging in self-medication.”
Dr. Usman adds that with the awareness, “people will cut down on the practice of self-medication and will not expose themselves or their families to antimicrobial resistance.”
The Spokesperson of the Department, Dr Mustapha Ahmed Yusuf, laments over the nonchalant attitude of patients, saying most times they take drugs without conducting tests.
To raise awareness of antimicrobials and promote responsible antibiotic use, Dr Mustapha stressed patients must conduct proper tests before taking prescription drugs, including antibiotics.
“We want to create awareness so that people will know more about antimicrobial resistance; to get the proper information that the misuse of antibiotics leads to antimicrobial resistance.”
Dr. Mustapha expressed optimism that “Creating awareness of antibiotic misuse will lead to a healthier life.” Just as he said, it will make antibiotics sustainable for all”.
