Akingbehin said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.
He noted a rising trend in the use of medications, especially antimalarial drugs, without proper diagnosis, which he said could harm internal organs such as the lungs and potentially lead to organ failure.
“If malaria is not properly treated due to self-medication, it can lead to organ failure,” he said, adding that such cases posed even greater risks for pregnant women and their unborn children.
The EPHPAN president stressed the need for proper diagnosis before any treatment, especially for conditions like malaria, where symptoms often overlap with other illnesses.
“Every day in Nigeria, people take medicines without seeing a doctor, particularly malaria medicines. Instead of going to the hospital, they buy drugs from roadside chemists or untrained sellers or even take advice from friends,” he said.
He warned that taking the wrong medicine could worsen health conditions, cause serious complications, or even lead to death.
“Many people have lost their sight, damaged their kidneys, or suffered life-threatening conditions due to self-medication. Yet the habit persists because hospital care is costly, difficult to access, or time-consuming.”
He described the practice of buying drugs at the first sign of fever, commonly a symptom of many illnesses, as dangerous and a form of drug abuse.
Akingbehin advised Nigerians to seek medical attention and undergo proper diagnostic tests at health centers whenever symptoms arise.
This, he said, would ensure appropriate and timely treatment.
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