A Professor of Paediatrics at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Prof. Nnamdi Onyire, has warned that the growing misuse of antibiotics in treating common cough is fueling the emergence of drug-resistant Tuberculosis (TB) in Nigeria.
Onyire, also the Chairman, Obosi Development Union Committee on Health and Longevity, made the assertion while speaking to journalists.
He stressed that while TB remained a completely curable disease, indiscriminate use of antibiotics without medical prescription was fast becoming a major public health threat.
“TB is a completely curable disease, but people must stop treating cough with antibiotics when they are not prescribed by medical doctors.
“Doing so can lead to drug-resistant TB,” he said.
He explained that self-medication and over-the-counter access to antibiotics were contributing to resistance, making TB harder and more expensive to treat.
The paediatrician urged Nigerians to seek proper medical diagnosis instead of resorting to antibiotics for prolonged cough.
According to him, persistent cough lasting two weeks or more should not be self-medicated with antibiotics but promptly investigated in a hospital.
“TB is an airborne disease.
“People should cover their mouths when coughing, stay in well-ventilated environments and seek medical tests if a cough lasts more than two weeks,” he said.
Onyire advised parents to ensure that their children receive Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination to prevent infection.
tHe stressiled that prevention remained a key strategy in tackling the disease.
The don further attributed the resurgence of TB to the increasing number of people living with HIV/AIDS, explaining that weakened immunity makes such individuals more vulnerable to TB infection.
TB Burden in Nigeria
Also speaking, Prof. Amaka Onubogu, a Consultant Paediatrician at the Faculty Of Medicine in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, lamented Nigeria’s high TB burden.
Onubogu noted that the country ranked among those with the highest number of cases globally.
“Nigeria is one of the eight countries worldwide with the highest TB burden and ranks highest in Africa,” she said.
She, however, expressed optimism that ongoing collaboration between Nigeria and global health organisations would help curb the spread of the disease and improve treatment outcomes.
