Self-medication not recommendable: Health minister
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal, November 22 2022:
Health & IPR minister Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh has stated that taking antibiotics without the prescription of a medical practitioner (doctor) may give negative health impact and further increase the antimicrobial resistance.
The minister was speaking as chief guest on the occasion of World Anti-Microbial Awareness Week observance held on the theme 'Preventing antimicrobial resistance together' and slogan, 'Antimicrobials: Handle with care' on Tuesday.
The observance was jointly organised by Directorate of Health Services, IDSP and National Health Mission (NHM), Manipur at JNIMS Hospital Lecture Hall, here.
While noting that many people go for self-medication, which is not recommendable, the health minister opined that organising such observance will help to create awareness amongst the public.
We should consult a doctor for any health problem in order to avoid health complication later, he advised.
He continued that people take antimicrobial resistance too lightly, ignoring its danger as a silent pandemic and unmindful of the fact that antimicrobial resistance is one the top 10 global health issues.
Moreover, advancement in information technology and easy accessibility to the internet are acting as a deterrent as quite often an individual turns to the internet and self-diagnosed themselves, in case one falls sick or is unwell.
This in turn increases the antimicrobial resistance as the common people are unaware of the dosages needed to be taken, he maintained, and urged against taking incomplete dosages and instead taking medicines for the full course.
Minister Ranjan then raised concerns that around 81 percent of the livestock consume antibiotic.
As such, the Chief Minister and the Veterinary minister are urged to look into the matter.
Manipur may be a small state but the prevalence of different diseases is quite high.
Nonetheless, the Health department will take up all necessary steps in this regard, he assured.
Dr Ranjan continued: "Natural and traditional antibiotics are beneficial to the human body.
As Manipur has numerous medicinal plants, we need to make use of this resource, considering the popularity of Ayurvedic treatments.
In addition, the department has been closely monitoring the healthy foods available in the market.
The Food Safety has been carrying out drives in this regard".
Minister Ranjan also said that there are so many health activities and programmes in a year.
All should keep in mind that such observance becomes fruitful by sharing awareness in this regard.
Mere observance will have no positive impact.
He then stressed the need for maintaining a database system for medical professionals and stakeholders, adding that the Health Department is already working on this front.
Doctors, nurses and clinical, staff may also take the role of prop agatirig awareness while going for field visits, he suggested.
Presided over by Health Services director Dr Kh Sasheekumar Man-gang, the event was also attended by NHM Manipur director Dr Somorjit Ningombam, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services director Dr Ng Ibotombi Singh and JNIMS director Prof L Deben as guests of honour Public Health additional director Dr Yumnam Gopalkrishna spoke on the topic of anti-microbial resistance (AMR) on the occasion.