Eunice Afolabi
As part of efforts to commemorate this year’s World Patient Safety Day, Nigeria’s Ministry of Health is sensitising members of the public against self medication – knowing the right drugs to consume for a particular ailment.
The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, represented by the Head of Hospital Services, in the ministry, Dr. Adebimpe Adebiyi, noted that it is pertinent that patients are equipped with knowledge on the types of drugs advised all patients not to practice self-medication or abuse drugs.
Dr. Adebiyi explained that the ministry has been sensitizing the entire citizens and confirming that health practitioners give their best while treating patients and also prevent malpractices among professionals.
”There are regulatory bodies like the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and investigative panels guiding health care professionals and practitioners in Nigeria,” he stated.
“These bodies are responsible for ensuring quality service delivery in the health sector.
“They are usually responsible for trying cases of malpractices and sanctioning bad eggs in the industry.
Furthermore, The Director disclosed that the theme for the World Safety Day celebration “Medication without harm” is for sensitizing the entire populace to know the right drugs to consume.
“It is important for patients to know the type of drugs they ingest into their body.
It is good to know the underlying condition of a disease before using particular drugs”.
Patient Safety Ambassador from Patient Safety Movement Foundation, Ehi Eden, also noted that 50 percent of the causes of death in the health care sector are on medication safety, and several people have died due to this reason.
“Many families have lost their loved ones through preventable harm or death that is coming from medication safety.
“For those who are not health care professionals, one of the things centering for them is empowerment, they should be at the center of the conversation, and they have taken eight to know the name of the drug they are given and taken.
“The Patient’s relative is at the center of medication because when a patient is sick, they may not be able to administer the drug by themselves, the family has to administer the drug.”
Mr. Ehi added that NAFDAC has a law that gives the patients the right to know the name of the drug given, hence the need to be careful.
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