For countless Nigerians, this is not considered risky behavior as it is a routine, convenient and normal. But beneath this culture of self-care, a growing public health concern that we have quietly accepted is self-medication.

Self-medication, simply put, is the act of treating oneself without professional medical advice. It includes buying drugs without prescriptions, using leftover medications, relying on advice from friends or family, or even following online recommendations. It may seem harmless for minor illnesses, but the consequences can be far more serious than we often admit.

One of the major causes of self-medication in Nigeria is accessibility to hospitals and clinics, especially in rural areas, as medical centers are often few and far. Even in urban centers, long waiting times, overcrowded facilities, and the cost of consultation push people to seek faster alternatives, making nearby pharmacy or medicine store the first and sometimes the only place of care.

Cost also plays an important role because to many Nigerians who are living close to the poverty line, paying consultation fees in addition to buying drugs can feel unnecessary, or even overburdening. The mindset of “Why spend money seeing a doctor when you already know what is wrong?” though roughly understandable, can be dangerously misleading.

Another contributing factor is familiarity; better put, similarities in symptoms. Many illnesses such as malaria, typhoid, and even viral infections share similar symptoms, as they can all include the presence of fever, weakness, and headaches. Because people have experienced these symptoms before, they assume the cause is the same and treat it as such. Unfortunately, symptoms are not always reliable indicators of the original condition. What feels like a simple malaria case could be something far more serious.

The most disturbing consequence of self-medication is drug misuse, particularly antibiotics. In Nigeria, antibiotics are often taken without proper diagnosis or dosage guidance. Most of us start a journey of treatment and stop as soon as we feel better, rather than completing the prescribed dose. This practice contributes to a situation where bacteria become resistant to drugs, making infections harder and more expensive to treat. What was once a simple infection can become life-threatening.

There is also the risk of incorrect dosage. Too little medication may be ineffective, while too much can be toxic. For example, painkillers are widely abused and many people are unaware that excessive use can damage the liver, kidneys, or stomach lining. Also, combining multiple drugs without understanding their interactions can lead to severe complications.

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Beyond the physical risks, self-medication can delay proper diagnosis. By hiding symptoms, individuals may unknowingly allow diseases to progress. By the time they eventually seek medical help, the condition may have worsened, requiring more complex and expensive treatment.

Cultural beliefs and social influence further deepen this habit in many communities. Health advice is freely shared among friends, family members, and even strangers. “This drug worked for me, try it,” is a common phrase among people, forgetting that people are different and what works for one person may not work for another due to differences in body chemistry, medical history, or the nature of the illness. While such suggestions are often with good intentions, they are not always safe.

The role of pharmacies and medicine vendors cannot be ignored. Although many operate responsibly, others dispense drugs without proper prescriptions, even recommending medications beyond their expertise sometimes. The absence of strong regulation and enforcement make it easy for this practice to continue unchecked.

Addressing the issue of self-medication in Nigeria requires a mixed approach.

First, there must be increased public awareness about its dangers. People need to understand that not all illnesses are the same, and not all drugs are safe for unsupervised use. Education campaigns through radio, television, social media, and community outreach, can play a vital role in changing people’s perceptions.

Secondly, healthcare must be made more accessible and affordable. When people have easier access to qualified professionals, they are less likely to resort to self-medication. Primary healthcare systems need to be strengthened to reduce waiting times, and treatment costs subsidize.

Strict regulation is also important. Authorities must enforce stricter controls on the sale of drugs, especially antibiotics. Pharmacists and medicine vendors should be properly accredited, trained and held accountable for their practices.

Finally, there is a need for personal responsibility because every individual must recognize that their health is too important to be left to assumption. Seeking professional medical advice should not be seen as a luxury, but as a necessity.

Self-medication may seem like a quick fix, but it is a habit with hidden dangers. As a nation, we must begin to question what we have long accepted as normal. Because when it comes to our health, convenience should never come at the cost of safety.

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Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Usman Iskilu-Saleh, said the funding is part of efforts to ensure at least one functional primary healthcare centre in each of the state’s 147 wards by 2027.

He noted that 58 facilities previously revitalised under a World Bank initiative have been completed, with additional projects underway, nine funded by the state, six by the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and another nine supported by UNICEF.

To address staffing gaps, the state has recruited 2,237 health workers, including nurses, midwives, doctors, and lab technicians, who have been deployed to various centres.

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The new equipment to be procured includes ultrasound scanners, blood pressure monitors, glucometers, centrifuges, microscopes, and essential drugs.

Iskilu-Saleh said the interventions have significantly boosted public patronage of primary healthcare centres, positioning the state as a model in Nigeria. He also pledged continued accountability and community engagement to sustain service quality.

Source: Punch

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The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, stated this in a statement on Saturday, made available to newsmen in Ibadan, the state capital.

He said speaking during the distribution of equipment at one of the newly upgraded PHCs in Ibadan on Tuesday, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, described the revitalisation of the PHCs as a crucial milestone in the government’s efforts to strengthen healthcare at the community level.

She said that following the earlier renovation of over 200 PHCs, the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde has embarked on the second phase of its healthcare revitalisation plan, distributing modern medical equipment and installing solar-powered systems to guarantee uninterrupted healthcare services.

Ajetunmobi explained that two facilities in each of the state’s 33 local government areas were selected for the current upgrade.

She highlighted that following the renovation of the health facilities, the government recruited over 3,000 healthcare workers for PHCs, and has now proceeded with the equipment upgrade in phases.

In Phase I, 66 PHCs have been selected based on criteria such as patient load, with the two centres in each local government chosen.

The upgrades include the installation of 10 KVA Solar Inverter Systems with hybrid inverters and lithium batteries to provide a 24-hour electricity supply; provision of two computer tablets (for Medical Records Officers and Officers-in-Charge) equipped with Electronic Medical Records software;  installation of Red-Brick Incinerators for safe medical waste disposal.

Ajetunmobi further announced plans to implement a Drug Revolving Fund to ensure a steady supply of essential medicines at the PHCs.

She urged community members to take ownership of the facilities and protect them against vandalism.

In his remarks, the Managing Director, First Health Dynamic Synergy International Limited, Professor Temitope Alonge, whose organisation executed the upgrades, explained that the selection of PHCs was based on population served.

At the Olorisa-Oko PHC in Akinyele Local Government, the council chairman, Hon. Akinwole Akinleye, expressed gratitude to Makinde for prioritising healthcare at the grassroots level.

He pledged the local government’s continuous support, including providing adequate security for staff, facilities, and equipment.

Among the first facilities to benefit from the upgrade is the Odo-Ona Elewe PHC in Oluyole Local Government.

The medical equipment provided includes: Standing Mobile and Table-Top Electronic Sphygmomanometers; Pediatric Blood Pressure Cuffs; Glucometers; Haemoglobinometers; Infrared Thermometers; Bucket Autoclaves powered by gas cookers; Autoclave tapes and drums; Colour-coded dustbins and metal dustbin racks; Medical oxygen cylinders with accessories; Nebulisers; Pulse oximeters; Point-of-Care Testing, Kits (HIV/Syphilis RDT, HBSAG RDT); First Aid Boxes for POCT storage; Filling of oxygen and cooking gas cylinders; Adjustable spanners for oxygen cylinders.

Source: Punch

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The nurse also lost her four-month-old baby in the accident, while four other staff sustained various degrees of injuries.

Two of the injured staff have been discharged, while two others are still in intensive care.

It was also reported that the accident occurred on Thursday, May 16, 2024, along the Benin-Auchi road when an articulated truck ran into the vehicle they were traveling in.

The health workers were returning to their station in Esan West Local Government after an official assignment in Benin City.

The Edo State Head of Service, Barrister Anthony Okungbowa, disclosed this during a condolence visit to the families of the deceased and to sympathize with those receiving treatment at the hospital, describing the incident as unfortunate.

Okungbowa, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Human Resources Management, Mr George Igberase, alongside the Executive Secretary of the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Omosigho Izedonmwen, said the state government would compensate the families of the late staff.

He said the government would cover the medical bills of those receiving treatment at the hospital and also ensure that the entitlements of the deceased are promptly processed.

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