Awareness Drive Launched In Ghor To Curb Self-Medication

FEROZKOH (Pajhwok): Following the publication of a Pajhwok Afghan News report on the dangers of self-medicating ear pain in Ghor, the provincial Public Health Department has launched extensive public awareness programs aimed at preventing self-treatment and encouraging residents to seek care at health facilities.

On Feb. 13, 2025, Pajhwok published a report titled“Doctors: Home remedies for ear pain can be risky.” Some residents of western Ghor province said they treat ear pain with traditional methods such as onion juice and warm mustard oil. Doctors, however, warn that such practices are dangerous and urge people to visit health centers for proper treatment.

Many locals rely on home remedies due to economic challenges and the long distance to health facilities. They often treat common illnesses at home or purchase medicines without prescriptions.

Maulvi Abdul Wahid Hamas, head of the Ghor Public Health Department, told Pajhwok:“Unfortunately, many people engage in self-medication due to a lack of awareness and understanding. Low public health literacy is the main reason behind this issue.”

He said the department has consistently worked to raise awareness about diseases, but health teams have now intensified their activities across the province following Pajhwok's report on self-treatment of ear pain.

According to Hamas, health teams in all clinics across Ghor have been informing residents this year about the dangers of self-medicating illnesses-particularly ear pain in children-and the potential complications.

“Our health workers now educate patients and visitors about the risks of self-treatment, including for ear pain,” he said.“We have installed televisions in all health facilities to broadcast health messages, including warnings about self-medication for ear conditions. These text and video messages have been very effective.”

He added that awareness campaigns have significantly increased the number of families visiting health centers for proper diagnosis and treatment.“More families now understand that only qualified doctors should diagnose and treat illnesses,” he noted.

Hamas also urged the media and health teams to further strengthen their outreach efforts so that reliance on traditional home remedies and self-medication could further decline.

Haq Farjad, an ear, nose, and throat specialist in Ghor, told Pajhwok that self-medicating any illness, including ear pain, can lead to serious complications. He said he has treated several patients whose conditions worsened due to self-treatment.

Dr. Farjad stated that awareness initiatives and reports such as those produced by Pajhwok-supported by media outlets and health institutions-can help prevent similar health problems by informing and educating the public. He emphasized that families should seek medical care at health centers and consult specialists instead of resorting to self-medication.

sa/ma

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