Kenya's Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has urged citizens to avoid buying antibiotics without a doctor's prescription, particularly during the festive season when symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting are common.
Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has warned against the practice of purchasing antibiotics without prescription during the festive season. Speaking to the press, Muthoni noted that Kenyans often head to pharmacies to buy these drugs after experiencing common symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, or fever, sometimes even for their children.
"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.
Muthoni stressed the need to consult a qualified doctor to prevent risks such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which has become a major global public health threat. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), AMR directly caused 1.27 million deaths in 2019 and contributed to 4.95 million more indirectly. It is making infections harder to treat and increasing dangers in procedures like surgery, caesarean sections, and cancer chemotherapy.
In a public health advisory issued on Sunday, December 21, Muthoni cautioned against sharing food, utensils, and personal items, frequent travel to new places, and poor hygiene to stem the rise in contagious diseases during the holidays. She recommended preventive steps like regular handwashing or using sanitizers, with extra care for older adults, young children, pregnant women, and those with chronic conditions.
"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.