The Chief Medical Director, CMD, of the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, Prof. Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo, has warned against drug abuse and self medication in the treatment of coronavirus.
Otegbayo who spoke in Ibadan pointed out that some people might 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.”
He added that “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 UCH CMD appealled to Nigerians to be careful when it comes to 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, Otegbayo admonished Nigerians to engage in activities that would improve their health conditions and observe the guidelines prescribed by World Health Organisation and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, 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.
As at the close of business on Tuesday no new case of COVID-19 was reported in the hospital, while all necessary precautions were being taken.
The University College Hospital, Ibadan, will continue to render excellent care and services to all our patients.
The hospital equally enjoined everyone to adhere to the required infection prevention and control measures prescribed by the WHO and the NCDC, such as physical distancing, regular hand washing, use of hand sanitizers and face masks.
