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Self-medication causes more harm than good — Medical Specialist
Dr Edna Mark Addy, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Med Health Centres at Ablekuma Joma,in the Greater Accra Region has cautioned individuals who usually rely on “self medication” to avoid the act, because it has an adverse effect on their health.
According to her, “self-medication is creating more harm than good, in a sense that, it rather worsens one’s ill-health instead of treating or curing the disease.”
She stated that the perceived illness or disease may actually not be the exact diagnosis but rather, a whole different health problem which has absolutely nothing to do with the self medication treatment process.
She gave the advice in an exclusive interview with “The Spectator” at the opening of the two health facilities at Ablekuma CP and Joma last Saturday.
She stressed that when one began to feel unwell, one should not hesitate to consult a physician for treatment in order to prevent the situation from becoming worse.
The Medical Doctor said that self-medication, would become problematic for treatment when the person finally reached the physician for critical or intensive care.
That, she emphasised, made it difficult for medications that have been administered on the patient by the physician to work effectively and cautioned persons who usually took paracetamol to cure their severe headaches and other perceived illnesses, to put a stop to that dangerous act.
Explaining further, she said“when paracetamol is taken, it breaks down in the liver and persons living with liver diseases or heavy alcohol consumers are at the risk of not staying healthier.”
According to her, one may not know the chemical compositions of the drugs they had taken, which would later turn to worry one’s health, adding that, “the risk of self-medication outweighs its intended benefits.”
Dr Mark Addy assured clients who would visit the new clinics at Ablekuma CP and Joma of best of treatments from seasoned health practitioners who would be attending to their health needs.
“We should be cautious about our diet and always eat healthy foods to keep the body functioning well,” she said.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah.
Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
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Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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