HIGH COST OF MEDICAL CARE… More Nigerians Facing Health Concerns Over Self-medication

Economic pressure is forcing more Nigerians to resort to self-medication which is exposing them to more health hazards.

Medical experts have cautioned that Nigerians, who have continued to disregard warnings of medical experts on the dangers of self-medication, a practice of using drugs or remedies without a proper diagnosis or a physician’s prescription, face a lot of health risks, including drug resistance, kidney damage and worsening of underlying health conditions.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), self-medication has several potential risks.

LEADERSHIP findings have shown that despite repeated warnings from medical experts, many Nigerians continue to rely on this approach due to factors such as the high cost of medical care, extended hospital wait times, and limited access to healthcare facilities as many Nigerians struggle to access quality and affordable healthcare, due to high costs of healthcare services and drugs, which are often out of reach for most Nigerians who are in the category of low-income earners. Other problems include a lack of experienced and qualified doctors, nurses, and other health workers, who are either scarce or have left the country for better opportunities; inadequate and obsolete equipment, facilities,

and infrastructure, which hamper the delivery of effective and efficient healthcare; lack of essential drugs and supplies, which often result in shortages, and poor hygiene and sanitation, which increase the risk of infections and diseases.

Self-medication is also prevalent in Nigeria because of the migration of doctors from Nigeria to other countries, which has also been a chronic problem in the Nigerian health sector. According to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), only 58,000 doctors renewed their annual practice licences in 2023 due to brain drain. The council has registered 130,000 medical doctors to practise in Nigeria since its inception 62 years ago.

Self-medication prevalence in Nigeria ranges from 52.1 per cent to 92.3 per cent.

According to medical experts, some Nigerians prefer to self-medicate because they believe they have the medical knowledge of what to use; they want to treat minor ailments without bothering to see a doctor; they want to save time and money, or they want to avoid the stigma and discrimination associated with certain conditions.

Many Nigerians also prefer self-medication because they cannot afford professional healthcare; there are inadequate healthcare facilities, and they can quickly obtain drugs without a doctor’s prescription, unlike in other countries.

According to the WHO, self-medication accounts for 60 per cent of drug consumption in Nigeria, compared to 10 per cent in developed countries. This shows the magnitude and impact of self-medication in Nigeria.

The statistics about Nigeria’s health system are grim; this, according to experts, contributes to the prevalence of self-medication in the country.

The global health body has said that self-medication results in certain potential risks for the individual consumer.

Dangers of self-medication

Former president of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Francis Faduyile, explained that “every drug has its side effect” and that improper usage can lead to severe complications such as kidney damage.

Also, a past chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), FCT Chapter, Pharmacist Ifeanyi Ikebudu, noted that many ailments share similar symptoms but require different treatments. For example, hepatitis, malaria, and typhoid fever often present overlapping symptoms, causing people to self-medicate with inappropriate drugs.

“Taking the wrong medicine, incorrect dosage, or improper treatment duration can worsen an ailment. In severe cases, this may result in death or permanent disability,” Ikebudu warned.

Corroborating this, Pharmacist Rosemary Okala said that many Nigerians lack adequate knowledge about the use of proper medications and potential side effects, adding that misinformation, often spread by friends, family, or unqualified vendors, leads to inappropriate drug use.

She emphasised that the misuse of antibiotics significantly contributes to antimicrobial resistance, a growing global health threat, and that incorrect dosages, counterfeit medications, and drug interactions can exacerbate health conditions, leading to severe complications, including organ failure and death.

Cultural reliance on herbal remedies also plays a role. Many individuals trust traditional healers or self-administer herbal concoctions without understanding the risks involved, she added.

A study conducted in the Kano metropolis by Umar, Isa, Abubakar, and

Ahmed (2013) identified several health hazards linked to self-medication, including drug resistance or failure, addiction, and poisoning, among others.

 

Socioeconomic Drivers of Self-Medication

Economic hardship is a significant driver of self-medication in Nigeria. With over 56 per cent of Nigerians living below the poverty line (according to the World Bank), many individuals prioritise basic needs like food over healthcare. Thus, over-the-counter drugs and herbal remedies are often seen as more accessible and affordable alternatives to formal medical care.

LEADERSHIP’s checks revealed that healthcare facilities in rural areas are scarce, and lack of means and long waiting times discourage people from seeking professional help. Also, patent medicine dealers, often operating with minimal oversight, are readily accessible, encouraging self-medication.

A mother of three in Jikwoyi, Abuja, Comfort Alabi, shared how she shifted to herbal treatments due to the high cost of hospital care.

“This is what I use for my children now when they fall sick because I know it’s either malaria or typhoid. I cook this mixture of herbs and give them to drink because it works effectively,” she said.

Similarly, Abbas Amos, a private school teacher in Nyanya, Abuja, relies on a nearby patent medicine dealer for treatment, bypassing formal diagnostics and consultations.

He said, “I don’t have health insurance, and the last time I visited the hospital, I spent nearly my entire monthly salary on medication. Since then, I’ve turned to patent medicine shops for my healthcare needs.”

The above responses underscore the urgent need for adequate health insurance coverage, which stakeholders believe is critical to addressing this challenge. At the moment, only about 5 per cent of Nigeria are covered in the health insurance scheme, most government workers and some corporate organisations.

 

Tragic consequences

The story of Mama Baye, a mother in Kurudu, Abuja, underscores the devastating impact of self-medication. Her eight-month-old daughter fell ill, and she relied on herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs for a week. Tragically, the child passed away shortly after being rushed to the hospital.

A hospital diagnosis later revealed the child had tonsillitis, a condition that could have been easily treated if addressed promptly.

“If I had taken her to the hospital immediately, she would have survived,” Mama Baye lamented.

This heartbreaking case illustrates the critical need for professional medical intervention and the dangers of relying on unregulated treatments.

 

 Nigerians downgrading health-seeking practices

A public health practitioner, Dr Ozy Okonokhua, lamented that economic pressures have led to a worrying trend where even those who previously sought professional care now resort to self-medication or traditional remedies.

He described self-medication as a dangerous practice that has escalated significantly due to economic challenges while highlighting how financial constraints are forcing Nigerians to downgrade their healthcare choices, moving further away from professional medical care.

“The economic situation in Nigeria is not helping matters,” he said. “Those who used to travel abroad for treatment now go to big hospitals in Nigeria. Those who used to go to big hospitals now rely on government hospitals. Those who went to government hospitals now turn to patent medicine dealers. And those who relied on patent medicine dealers are now self-medicating or using traditional medicines.”

Dr Okonokhua warned that the use of unprescribed medications, whether purchased from pharmacies or derived from traditional remedies, pose serious health risks. He cited instances where leftover prescription drugs are shared among family members, a practice that can lead to severe complications due to differences in individual medical conditions and contraindications.

“The number of people self-medicating has increased considerably, and it’s alarming. People are coming to hospitals with complications from using the wrong medications for prolonged periods.

“This not only endangers their health but also complicates case management for doctors,” he stated.

Dr Okonokhua also decried the growing reliance on traditional medicines, often bypassing professional healthcare entirely.

“It’s bad enough to self-medicate with over-the-counter drugs. But some people now resort to traditional remedies, which means they’re not accessing healthcare at all,” he said.

Dr. Okonokhua called for urgent action to address this troubling trend, emphasising the need for better access to affordable healthcare services and increased public awareness about the dangers of self-medication.

“It’s highly condemnable and something we need to tackle to improve healthcare outcomes in Nigeria,” he added.

 

Everyone is a doctor

Corroborating the above assertion, the immediate past chairman of the NMA, Plateau Branch, Dr. Bapiga’an Audu highlighted the widespread nature of self-medication in the country.

“In Nigeria, almost everybody is a doctor. People offer unsolicited advice and prescribe medications to others.

“This practice is dangerous and contributes to the growing prevalence of chronic illnesses like kidney disease,” he warned.

 

Expand health insurance to curb self-medication

Pharmacist Okala called on the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to prioritise increasing insurance enrollment to enhance public health outcomes and mitigate the dangers associated with self-medication.

She said by promoting access to affordable, professional healthcare services, health insurance can help reduce the widespread practice of self-medication among Nigerians, many of whom cannot afford hospital consultations or prescribed medications.

She asserted that expanding health insurance coverage in the country could significantly curb self-medication by easing financial barriers, encouraging professional medical consultations, and promoting healthier healthcare practices.

Experts agree that robust public health campaigns are needed to educate Nigerians about the dangers of self-medication. They also advocate improved access to affordable healthcare services, stricter regulation of drug sales, and better oversight of patent medicine dealers.

While self-medication may seem quick and cost-effective, its long-term consequences far outweigh its perceived benefits.