🩺 THE DANGERS OF SELF-MEDICATION IN NIGERIA

Voice of the people -


INTRODUCTION

In many Nigerian homes today, it is common to see people treating themselves without consulting a doctor. They walk into a pharmacy, ask for drugs based on guesswork, or take leftovers from a past illness. While some may see this as smart or convenient, self-medication is a silent killer that continues to threaten lives across the country.



WHAT IS SELF-MEDICATION?


Self-medication simply means using medicine to treat yourself without a doctor’s prescription or diagnosis. This includes:


Buying drugs over-the-counter without proper advice


Taking leftover drugs from an old illness


Following advice from unqualified people or social media


Changing dosages or drug types without any medical reason



WHY NIGERIANS ENGAGE IN SELF-MEDICATION


Fear of high hospital bills


Long queues or delay in public hospitals


Lack of access to healthcare in rural areas


Confidence from previous experiences


Advice from friends, traders, or online forums



THE DANGERS OF SELF-MEDICATION


❌ 1. Wrong Diagnosis


Taking drugs based on assumptions hides the real illness. For example, not every fever is malaria. Misdiagnosis can delay proper treatment and make things worse.


❌ 2. Antibiotic Resistance


When antibiotics are used wrongly, bacteria can become stronger and resistant. This makes future infections harder and more expensive to treat.


❌ 3. Drug Reactions & Side Effects


Some drugs react badly with others or may not be suitable for certain people (e.g., pregnant women, hypertensive patients). Without medical guidance, you could harm your body.


❌ 4. Overdose and Organ Damage


Taking too much or combining the wrong drugs can lead to liver or kidney failure, coma, or even death.


❌ 5. Addiction and Abuse


Drugs like painkillers, cough syrups, and sleeping pills can be addictive if misused. Many youths have unknowingly fallen into drug abuse through self-medication.


TRUE STORIES, TRUE COST


At various clinics and hospitals, patients often arrive when it’s already too late. What started as a headache or stomach pain becomes life-threatening simply because they refused to seek early medical help.



WHAT YOU SHOULD DO INSTEAD


Go to a licensed hospital or clinic


Get advice from a certified health worker


Do necessary tests before taking treatment


Avoid using leftover or borrowed drugs


Educate your family on the dangers of self-treatment


CONCLUSION

Self-medication is not a shortcut—it’s a trap. It may save money now but could cost a life tomorrow. Let us change the culture. Let us promote safe, responsible healthcare in our communities.

As the voice of the people, I must speak out against dangerous health practices that continue to destroy lives in silence.

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