Medical practitioners, last week, called on the public to seek medical advice before taking medication. This follows reports indicating that a number of patients only see a doctor when they experience symptoms they consider to be life threatening.

According to the report, when individuals suffer from common ailments such as headaches and stomach upsets, they buy medication from pharmacies with no prescription or doctor’s consultation.

This has put the health of the people at risk as it is more likely that the medication may not be effective because they are treating the wrong disease.

And, by the time one realises this, it is often too late as the common ailment has developed into a serious disease.

With over 92 per cent of the population subscribed to medical insurance, the cost of health care has become more affordable.

The Government has invested a lot in the health sector, with better equipped health centres being constructed and attractive packages in place for medical practitioners and community health workers.

With the available infrastructure and insurance, the people should be encouraged to not only seek medical advice when ill, but to also carry out regular medical check-ups.

The Ministry of Health should issue pharmacies with a list of prescription and non-prescription drugs and put in place mechanisms to ensure that the pharmacies stick to it.

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