Stop Self Medication Before It Turns Dangerous – Anambra Health Expert Warns
Anambra residents have been warned against the increasingly common practice of treating illnesses on their own, with health authorities cautioning that a drug taken without proper medical guidance can do more harm than good.
The Anambra State Hospital Administrator, Dr. Frank Ifeanaeme, gave the warning on August 21, stressing that self medication can lead to serious health complications and, in severe cases, death.
According to him, the danger is not only in taking the wrong drug, but also in using the wrong dosage, combining incompatible medicines or taking medication for a condition that has not been properly diagnosed.
Dr. Ifeanaeme explained that such practices could worsen an existing illness, trigger harmful reactions or delay the treatment a patient actually needs.
He urged residents to resist the temptation to rely on recommendations from friends, neighbours or unqualified drug sellers whenever they fall sick.
Rather, he advised them to consult qualified healthcare professionals who can properly assess their condition and determine the appropriate medication, dosage and duration of treatment.
The hospital administrator also warned against obtaining medicines from unapproved sources, stressing that responsible healthcare begins with knowing what you are treating before deciding what to take.
His message is simple: not every sickness requires the drug you used last time, and not every drug that worked for someone else will work for you.
Residents were therefore encouraged to make professional medical advice their first choice whenever they are unwell, rather than turning themselves into their own doctors.
