NMA warns against self-medication, especially on ENT cases

Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Port Harcourt branch, has warned against self-medication, especially for those that have issues with ear, nose and throat (ENT), saying it destroys the body systems and, sometimes, leads to death.

Chairman of NMA in the state, Prof. Chizindu Alikor, said it was worrisome that some residents neglect the otorhinolaryngology (ENT) cases because they consider them as minor areas of health, whereas, they are critical aspects of health and should be given prime attention.

He said damage to the eardrum could affect the brain.

He gave the advice, yesterday, in Port Harcourt during a lecture titled, “The Development of Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) in Rivers State” in remembrance of Dr. Chimdi Afuluka Odu, who the association said sacrificed a lot to set up the ENT department at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.

Alikor said: “ENT has significantly developed both in UPTH and RSUTH. Service delivery has improved strongly. ENT has a cure, the challenge we have is that people do a lot of self-meditation, maybe because they feel the ear pain is not a serious matter, so they will resort to self-medication, they will get ear drops and start pouring into the ear whenever they have challenges. “

The keynote speaker and consultant of otorhinolaryngology at UPTH, Dr Opubo Benedict Lilly -Tariah, said Odu’s exemplary leadership should propel others to emulate him and make the state, and country a better place for all.