Editorial
Self-medication not the best approach
Instead of visiting a recognised medical facility, some people rely on self medication as an ‘easy way’ of finding solutions to their health problems. They may get instant relief but medical practitioners have said that self medication could be harmful.
Some parents in rural areas prefer giving their wards medicine at their discretion without necessarily understanding what such prescriptions could do.
One of the challenges of self-medication is how some people recommend over-the-counter drugs to others after they believe a particular medication had been effective for their ailment.
Some persons have become ‘personal pharmacists’ who decide what dose of medication someone else could take. The lack of professional diagnosis is believed to be the cause of other health complications or even death.
Some experts say over-the-counter (OTC) medicines may have serious side effects if inappropriately used. This is the reason individuals must rely on medications sold under a doctor’s instructions.
The directions for the use of prescribed drugs are usually indicated by a doctor, after which they are double-checked by the pharmacists, packaged, before they are sold out to clients.
This, I believe, is the most effective way of finding solution to any health problem other than relying on buying drugs without any proper diagnosis, so we should be more cautious.
Margaret Baidoo,
Student, Ghana Institute of Journalism.
Dear Editor,
It is often said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. However, this saying becomes worrying when the health of citizens is threatened by the conditions under which the food they consume daily is sold.
In Ghana, the conditions under which food is sold is quite disturbing. Over the years, I have observed that the environments where food is prepared and sold are often unhygienic.
In many cases, containers holding food such as rice and waakye are left uncovered or not properly covered, exposing them to contamination.
While many Ghanaians paid little attention in the past to the conditions under which food was sold, the narrative seems to be changing in recent years.
I recall an incident during my days in Senior High School (S.H.S.) when my friends and I went out to buy food. At one location, some of us chose not to buy because we assumed the food would be expensive due to how neat the place looked.
Unfortunately, we ended up purchasing food from a different place that was somewhat unhygienic. We overlooked the poor conditions because we believed the quantity offered was better than at the cleaner location.
However, I am certain that my friends and I would not repeat such a mistake today, as we now understand the health implications of that decision.
While public education is important in addressing this issue, I believe it is time for regulatory and law enforcement agencies, such as the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), to crack the whip on food sellers and vendors who operate in unhygienic environments and conditions.
As citizens, we must also be mindful of where we buy our food to protect ourselves and our families from diseases and illnesses. We should choose ‘quality’ over ‘quantity’ and prioritize our health.
From Syram
Oyarifa
Dear Editor,
I write to express concern and call for improved security measures before and after every football match.
The recent robbery attack that led to the tragic death of a player, on their return from a Match day 29 game against Samartex, is both shocking and heartbreaking.
The incident, which reportedly occurred around 10:30 p.m., highlights the growing risks faced by players and team officials while traveling.
Football is meant to unite and entertain, not to expose lives to danger. It is therefore imperative that authorities, the Ghana Football Association, and security agencies put in place adequate protection for teams, especially during late-night travels.
I strongly urge all stakeholders to treat this matter with urgency to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring.
From Eugene Ampiaw
Accra
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