A Consultant Endocrinologist, Dr Grace Senbanjo, has called on Nigerians to stop self-medication and the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, warning that such practices are fueling the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the country.
Dr Senbanjo, who is also a Consultant Physician at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), gave the warning during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.
She expressed deep concern over the widespread abuse of antibiotics in Nigeria, describing the use of unprescribed drugs and self-medication as a serious danger to the nation’s healthcare system.
“The use of antibiotics without a prescription from qualified medical professionals is one of the leading causes of antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria,” she said. “This results in severe infections, complications, prolonged hospital stays, and increased mortality.”
Understanding Antimicrobial Resistance
Dr Senbanjo explained that antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to medicines designed to kill or inhibit them. When resistance develops, antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents become ineffective, making infections harder sometimes impossible to treat.
“There is a growing problem where antibiotics no longer work for the infectious diseases they were originally designed to treat,” she noted. “This is why a patient may be admitted and given an antibiotic that should ordinarily cure the infection, yet it fails to work.”
Antibiotics, also known as antibacterials, are medicines specifically formulated to target certain bacteria and cannot be used interchangeably to treat all infections. However, Dr Senbanjo lamented that they are now commonly misused to treat a wide range of unrelated ailments, accelerating resistance and reducing their effectiveness.
Importance of Proper Diagnosis
The endocrinologist emphasized that antibiotics should only be prescribed after thorough medical evaluation and laboratory investigation.
“Before antibiotics are prescribed, laboratory culture tests should be conducted to identify the causative organism and determine the most effective drug,” she said, adding that this approach ensures appropriate treatment and reduces the risk of resistance.
She further condemned the widespread practice of using antibiotics to treat viral infections such as colds, flu, coughs, and sore throats, stressing that antibiotics are ineffective against viruses.
Dangers of Incomplete Treatment
Dr Senbanjo also warned against stopping antibiotic treatment prematurely.
“Many people stop taking antibiotics after three days because they feel better. This is a form of drug abuse and is very dangerous,” she explained. “It can make the antibiotic ineffective in the body, so that when it is needed again for the same illness, it may no longer work.”
She noted that the standard duration for most antibiotic treatments is seven days, regardless of how quickly symptoms improve.
Dr Senbanjo urged the Federal Government and relevant regulatory agencies to strengthen enforcement of policies governing the sale and use of drugs in Nigeria.
She also called for sustained public awareness campaigns through television, radio, and social media to educate Nigerians on the responsible use of antibiotics and the dangers of drug misuse.
According to her, increased education and stricter regulation are critical steps toward safeguarding the effectiveness of antibiotics and protecting public health.