Onitsha: A professor of Paediatrics, Prof. Nnamdi Onyire, has raised concerns over the increasing misuse of antibiotics in treating common cough, which is exacerbating the rise of drug-resistant Tuberculosis (TB) in Nigeria. Onyire, affiliated with the Alex Ekwueme Federal University and serving as Chairman of the Obosi Development Union Committee on Health and Longevity, shared these insights during a recent press briefing.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Onyire emphasized that while TB is entirely curable, the indiscriminate use of antibiotics without proper medical guidance poses a significant public health challenge. He highlighted that treating coughs with antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription could lead to drug-resistant TB. This growing resistance, he explained, is largely due to self-medication and the easy availability of antibiotics over the counter, complicating and increasing the cost of TB treatment.
The paediatrician urged the public to pursue accurate medical diagnoses rather than self-medicating with antibiotics for persistent coughs. He advised that any cough lasting two weeks or more should be promptly assessed in a medical facility. As TB is an airborne disease, Onyire recommended measures such as covering mouths while coughing, staying in well-ventilated areas, and seeking medical tests if symptoms persist.
Furthermore, he stressed the importance of preventive measures, such as ensuring children receive the Bacillus Calmette-Gu©rin (BCG) vaccination, to combat TB. Onyire also pointed to the resurgence of TB cases linked to the increasing population of individuals with HIV/AIDS, who are more vulnerable to TB due to weakened immune systems.
Prof. Amaka Onubogu, a consultant Paediatrician from the Faculty of Medicine at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, also spoke on the matter, expressing concern over Nigeria’s high TB incidence. Onubogu noted that Nigeria is among the eight countries with the highest TB burden globally and leads in Africa. Nonetheless, she conveyed hope that ongoing collaborative efforts between Nigeria and international health organizations will help mitigate the spread of TB and enhance treatment success rates.