Jawzjan doctors warn against self-medication

SHIBERGHAN (Pajhwok): Some physicians and health officials have expressed concern over widespread self-medication in northern Jawzjan province.

Given the risks associated with the practice, they asked people to eschew taking medicine without consultations with doctors.

With the advent of winter, respiratory diseases have spread among the people and most of them have reportedly resorted to self-medication.

Medicine use without doctor’s advice

A resident of Jawzjan, Habibullah, said he cannot visit the doctor due to economic problems and often purchases diarrhea and respiratory illness medicine from pharmacies.

Habibullah said: “I have a sore throat and pneumonia, but cannot pay the doctor’s fee. I came here to by medicine for myself. I know this can harm me but I have no other choice.”

Sahar Rahimi, another resident of Shiberghan, also confirmed buying painkillers for headache. “I have a severe headache and I usually take Paracetamol or other painkillers.”

Sahar said she knew the use of painkillers without doctor’s prescription could be dangerous for health.

Doctors: Avoid arbitrary use of drugs

Loqman Baig, a Shiberghan-based doctor, told Pajhwok Afghan New: “With the arrival of winter, many people contract flu, pneumonia and respiratory illnesses. Unfortunately, most of people prefer the arbitrary use of medicine, which is so risky for their health.”

People commonly use medicine without seeking advice from the doctor, a practice that must stop, he said, calling for public given awareness. He added every medicine had its side effects.

Dr. Baig asked the people to avoid the use of medicine without the prescription of doctors.

He added: “It is dangerous to take medicine without consultation with doctors. The arbitrary use of drugs harms the liver, heart or kidneys.”

A doctor of internal diseases at the main provincial hospital, Dr. Hashmatullah Enayat, also cautioned against the use of medicine without prescription.

Enayat insisted: “All sick individuals must visit doctors for proper treatment. They should not arbitrarily take medicine, especially antibiotics.”

He regretted: “Some people even give the same type of medicine to the elderly and children. It’s so dangerous and has disastrous side effects. The use of medic in this manner weakens the immune system and causes permanent diseases.”

According to Enayat, people with kidney problems, acute stomach conditions, allergies, cardiac issues and a weak respiratory system must avoid the arbitrary use of medicine.

Public Health director Qari Sayed Zabihullah Hussaini also called self-medication a health hazard. He said efforts were underway to ban the use of medicine without doctors’ prescription.

In addition to free lab examinations, all patients were given a 40 percent discount on medicine at governmental hospitals, the director said.

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH( has fixed the doctor’s fee at 150 afs, assistant-professors’ at 200 afs and professors’ at 300afs, according to Hussaini.