The Kwara State Government has issued a warning to people living with non-communicable diseases against combining prescribed medicines with herbal remedies or other medications without medical advice. This warning was given by the Commissioner for Health, Amina El-Imam, through the Deputy Director of Public Health, Kasali Ajao, during a sensitisation programme organised by the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital, Ilorin.
The sensitisation programme was held to mark the 2026 World Patient Safety Day, with the theme "Safe Care for Non-Communicable Diseases" and the slogan "Safe Care for Life". The programme aimed to equip healthcare workers, patients, and caregivers with practical measures to prevent avoidable complications and promote safer treatment practices for people living with non-communicable diseases.
According to El-Imam, patient safety remained critical to preventing avoidable complications in the treatment and long-term management of non-communicable diseases. She stated that the state government was committed to providing quality, safe, and patient-centred healthcare services and had continued to strengthen healthcare delivery through the engagement of qualified health professionals and other measures.
The Assistant Chief Nursing Officer, Family Medicine Department, KWASUTH, Mgbemena Maria, urged patients to follow medical prescriptions and avoid taking additional medications without professional guidance. She warned that patients should not independently combine prescribed drugs with herbal preparations or other medications, stressing the need to seek medical advice before doing so.
Mgbemena identified hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases as common non-communicable diseases, noting that their management often requires sustained treatment and regular monitoring. She advised patients to attend regular medical check-ups and monitor their blood pressure and blood sugar levels as recommended by healthcare professionals.
The Assistant Chief Scientific Officer, Kwara State Ministry of Health, Olaseinde Olubukola, explained that improving patient safety required active participation from both healthcare professionals and those receiving care. She stressed the need for continued public awareness of non-communicable diseases and safer healthcare practices, particularly among patients who require prolonged treatment and monitoring.
The programme formed part of activities marking World Patient Safety Day, with emphasis on promoting safer care for people living with chronic diseases. The event attracted participants from the 16 local government areas of the state, and the organisers encouraged residents to complement medical treatment with healthy lifestyle choices, including proper nutrition and regular physical activity suitable for their health conditions.
Key points
- Patients with non-communicable diseases should seek medical advice before combining prescribed medicines with herbal remedies or other medications.
- The Kwara State Government is committed to providing quality, safe, and patient-centred healthcare services.
- Improving patient safety requires active participation from both healthcare professionals and those receiving care.
