KCH cautions people against self-medication dangers

In a bid to end growing threat of antimicrobial resistance Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) has cautioned people against dangers of self-medication.

Speaking during Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week at KCH, Principal Nursing Officer, Prisca Mzumara, said antimicrobial resistance is a growing challenge in Malawi due to misuse of antibiotics and not completing prescribed doses.

She said antimicrobial resistance cases have been rising at the hospital for the past three years.

Antimicrobial Resistance Officer in Ministry of Health, Dr. Gracian Harawa, says research conducted in 2019 shows that approximately 19,000 deaths in Malawi occurred due to antibiotics resistance.

Pharmacovigilance Coordinator for Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority Anderson Ndalama says the authority has managed to apprehend 28 illegal drug vendors this year