The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University College Hospital, (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, Prof. Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo has warned against drug abuse and self medication for the treatment of coronavirus (COVID 19).
Otegbayo’s warning was contained in the release of the Hospital’s Covid-19 Media Team it personally signed and made available to Naija Today News on Wednesday, May 20th.
” Otegbayo while speaking in Ibadan 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”, saying, “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 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, 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”.
“As at the close of business on Tuesday, 19th May, 2020, no new case of COVID-19 was reported in the hospital, while all necessary precautions are being taken”.
“The University College Hospital, Ibadan will continue to render excellent care and services to all our patients. The Hospital equally enjoins 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 & face masks”.
“We will continue to update the public accordingly” and equally enjoined all to stay safe.
