Misuse of antibiotics driving drug-resistant TB – Expert
A professor of Paediatrics, Prof. Nnamdi Onyire says the growing misuse of antibiotics in treating common cough is fuelling the emergence of drug-resistance Tuberculosis (TB) in Nigeria.
Onyire, of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, also the Chairman, Obosi Development Union Committee on Health and Longevity, made the observation while speaking to journalists on the sidelines of an event on Monday.
He stressed that while TB remains a completely curable disease, indiscriminate use of antibiotics without medical prescription is 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.
He advised parents to ensure that their children receive the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination to prevent infection, stressing that prevention remains 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 susceptible to TB infection.
Also speaking, Prof. Amaka Onubogu, a consultant Paediatrician at the Faculty of Medicine, 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.
