Professor Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan has warned against self-medication and drug abuse in the treatment of coronavirus (COVID-19).
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Ibadan, Professor Otegbayo pointed out that some people may pick the names of the drugs being mentioned as having been used for the treatment of coronavirus and use them without appropriate prescription from a doctor.
He said, “It is wrong for anyone to just pick up names of drugs and use them when they have not tested positive for COVID-19. This is drug abuse. It may have adverse consequences on such people.
“Even as a doctor, when I tested positive for COVID-19, I didn’t take drugs until my doctors had prescribed for me. And I took just the doses they prescribed for me. If I was in doubt, I called my doctors to cross-check before taking my drugs.”
The CMD appealed to Nigerians to be careful when it comes to the use of drugs.
“If anyone has any of the symptoms of the virus, he or she should endeavour to see a doctor for proper advice on the type of drugs that should be taken, and also find a way to be tested too, to ascertain the health conditions.”
However, Prof. Otegbayo admonished Nigerians to engage in activities that will improve their health conditions and observe the guidelines prescribed by WHO and NCDC.
Meanwhile, the CMD has launched the maiden edition of the magazine of the Department of Public Health Nursing of the hospital.
The Head of the Department, Mrs Iyabode Ogundele led other members to present the magazine to the CMD.
The magazine named ” the educator” showcases research works on coronavirus, HIV/AIDS, cervical cancer, Lassa fever and other ailments that people have little or no knowledge about.
According to the statement, as of the close of business on Tuesday, May 19, 2020, no new case of COVID-19 was reported in the hospital, while all necessary precautions are being taken.
Packaged by Oludotun Ajibola
