In commemoration of the 2023 World Antibiotics Awareness Week ,WAAW, a Consultant Endocrinologist, Dr. Bolanle Okunowo, has issued a cautionary note against the prevalent issue of self-medication and the indiscriminate use of antibiotics.
The consultant, who is also a Physician at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital ,LASUTH, expressed her concerns about the alarming rate of antibiotic abuse in the country, deeming it a significant threat to the nation’s health management.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria ,NAN, Dr. Okunowo highlighted the importance of raising awareness about the dangers of antibiotic resistance and the crucial role of appropriate antibiotic use during the WAAW, observed annually from Nov. 18 to Nov. 24. This year’s theme is “Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together.”
The endocrinologist stressed that the misuse of antibiotics without proper medical prescription contributes to Antimicrobial Resistance ,AMR, a phenomenon where bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial agents. This resistance renders antibiotics ineffective, leading to heightened challenges in health management, increased risks of disease spread, severe illness, and death.
Dr. Okunowo explained the significance of conducting culture tests in a laboratory before prescribing antibiotics. She emphasized that antibiotics are designed for specific types of bacteria and should not be used interchangeably to treat various ailments. However, the current trend sees antibiotics being used indiscriminately for a wide range of illnesses, making them less effective against targeted infections.
The endocrinologist called for proper examination and diagnosis by qualified medical practitioners before the prescription of antibiotics. She highlighted the importance of both the patient and the antibiotic undergoing culture tests to identify the causative organism and determine the precise antibiotic that can effectively combat it.
Expressing concern about people using antibiotics to treat viral infections like cold, flu, cough, and sore throat without proper medical consultation, Dr. Okunowo urged Nigerians to refrain from self-medication to mitigate the threat of antibiotic resistance in their bodies.
Additionally, she advised individuals to complete their antibiotic medication or dosage, emphasizing that prematurely stopping the treatment, even when feeling better, contributes to antibiotic resistance. Dr. Okunowo called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts in regulating and implementing policies and guidelines on the use and sale of drugs.
She emphasized the need for increased awareness campaigns through television, radio, and social media to educate citizens on the correct use of antibiotics and other medications.
Crediblenews would like to give credit to NAN for their comprehensive coverage of the topic of the news report. The information and insights presented in this blog post are based on their informative news report
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