Logo

Coronavirus increasing self-medication

Walking to drug stores or combing nearby bushes in search of medication for the treatment of malaria remains a preferred choice and a first ...

Coronavirus increasing self-medication
Coronavirus increasing self-medication

Walking to drug stores or combing nearby bushes in search of medication for the treatment.

of malaria remains a preferred choice and a first aid approach in fighting the disease.

in many Ghanaian homes.



The symptoms of the disease, which include fever, vomiting,.

running stool, high temperature, are easily interpreted by parents or caretakers who administer tablets, herbal.

mixtures, balms, herbal baths among others to the sick.



Statistics indicate that Ghana is among the 15 highest.

malaria burden countries in the world and reported the highest increase in absolute case numbers.

of 500,000 new cases from 2017 to 2018.



Despite this worrying situation, herbal preparation or home remedies.

and self-medication appear on the increase due to COVID-19 and the fear of hospital visitations.



This is against the global malaria 3Ts (Test, Treat.

and Track), campaign, which was doing just good in hospitals across the country before Ghana.

started recording COVID-19 cases.



A visit by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) to.

some drug stores and herbal retail shops in Ashaiman and Okaishie Drug Lane in the.

Greater Accra Region indicates that the preference was not only linked with cost but some.

trust in the potency of the local mixtures and home remedies.



Ms.

Rose Korley, Dispensing Technician, Marton Chemist, Ashaiman, said most clients who came to her shop.

preferred the local herbal mixture for treatment of Malaria; “at least about six people come.

each day to purchase drugs in relation to malaria treatment.



She said most persons followed adverts and recommendations from.

neighbours and friends to reach their decision.



“A customer I remember after buying and taking a.

particular anti-malaria drug returned to complain of experiencing faster heartbeats,” she said, adding that most.

people who did not have prescriptions preferred to buy the local mixtures.



At Ashaiman Market, Nana Yaa Asantewaa, a trader in.

raw herbal products, said elderly women and men mostly patronised her products because the preparation.

of the mixtures was rooted in traditions and various cultures handed down from generation to.

generation.



She said some leaves of trees, herbs, roots, and.

back of trees were used for the treatment of malaria in many homes.



At the Okaishie Drug Lane, Mr.

Meshack Abeka, Sales Manager, Angel Herbal, said some Ghanaians often patronised products based on the.

big adverts but not necessarily their efficacy.



He also commended the Food and Drugs Authority who.

occasionally visited herbal shops to pick some products and re-examine their efficacy to ensure that.

most of the shops maintained the approved standards.



Mr.

Abeka said some producers of malaria fever mixtures because of financial considerations, reduced the standards.

for mass production after they received certification from the Food and Drugs Authority.



Ms.

Joyce Kpentey, Sales Manager, Kingswalk Herbal, told the GNA that the herbal medicines were preferred.

because of their potency and ability to cure multiple ailments.



Mr.

Isaac Obiri, Sales Manager, Kof-Sam Herbal, said fever-related drugs were amongst the fast-moving drugs in.

the market because people believed that the orthodox medicine suppressed the disease but the herbal.

medicines with time would uproot the disease.



Meanwhile, Dr.

Francis Zotor, a Nutritionist and Acting Director, International Programmes, University of Health and Allied Sciences,.

had told GNA that abuse of agrochemicals and the consumption of chemical residues applied on.

crops, plants, and herbs used for herbal medicines could disrupt the genetic formation of the.

individual over time.



Another study conducted by researchers at the Public Health.

Institute, the California Department of Health Services, and the UC Berkeley School of Public Health.

found a six-fold increase in risk factors for Autism Spectrum Disorders for children of women.

who were exposed to organochlorine pesticides.



Dr.

Boakye-Yiadom Adomako, a medical officer at the Asankrangwa Catholic Hospital in Asankrangwa, Ghana, said the.

use of herbs for treatment could end one up in sorrow.



He recalled the loss of two siblings who died.

in the hospital after their mother had administered some herbal preparation to them at home.

using an enema with the intention of cleansing their stomach (a common approach in Ghanaian.

tradition).



He said the children were rushed to the facility.

one after the other by their mother, adding that diagnoses revealed after their death was.

caused by the herbs used by their mother, which had been sprayed with some weedicide,.

which poisoned their internal organs and led to their death.



The woman lost two children on the spot; the.

use of herbal preparations and concoctions could serve a purpose but poses many dangers because.

the raw materials may not be subjected to any further examinations before use.



The story is told of the use of the.

moringa plant where some parts could be used for food and medicinal purposes whereas other.

parts of the plant, especially the roots could be poisonous when consumed.



In conclusion, the use of herbal preparations to treat.

malaria appears to be reaching a crescendo amid COVID-19 with many shying away from hospitals.

and health facilities.



It is, therefore, imperative for stakeholders to embark on.

aggressive regular sensitisation on the importance of the 3Ts and proper treatment of malaria for.

a healthy nation, during and post COVID-19 era.

Share on Twitter Share on Whatsapp Share on Telegram Share on Facebook Share on Reddit Share on Hacker News Share on Tumblr Share on LinkedIn Email