Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has cautioned the public against the random use of antibiotics, during the festive season without proper authorisation from a doctor.
Addressing the press, Muthoni said that Kenyans should refrain from the culture of buying random drugs in chemists after they develop common symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, which are very common during the festive season.
The PS emphasised that individuals who develop such symptoms should always prioritise seeking advice and prescription from a qualified doctor to avert further risks, including antimicrobial resistance, which is caused by the misuse of antibiotics.
"There is this culture that people have of rushing to the chemists to purchase drugs because you have started experiencing diarrhea, vomiting, or fever, and we end up getting these medicines for even our children," Muthoni said.
"Once you develop these symptoms, please go to the hospital. You should not go to the counter to get medicines because you are not a doctor. You should get a prescription from a doctor," she added.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has, in the recent past, emerged as one of the top global public health threats.
AMR was directly responsible for 1.27 million people succumbing globally in 2019 and indirectly contributed to 4.95 million deaths, according to the World Health Organisation.
The UN agency cautions that AMR is continually making infections harder to treat and other medical procedures and treatments, such as surgery, caesarean sections, and cancer chemotherapy, much riskier.
Health Advisory During the Festive Season
In a public health advisory on Sunday, December 21, Muthoni cautioned Kenyans against sharing food, utensils, and personal items, travelling frequently to new environments, and being unhygienic, to curb the spread of contagious diseases that spike during the festive season.
Kenyans should exercise preventive measures such as maintaining good hygiene by washing hands regularly or using hand sanitisers, to prevent these diseases.
Members of the public were advised to exercise extra precautions around older adults, young children, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses.
"Prefer outdoor and well-ventilated venues, avoid overcrowding, and limit duration. Avoid sharing utensils such as cups or bottles, and wash your hands before food handling," Muthoni said.
