Thika Level Five Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Rosemary Mwangi has warned parents in Thika against buying over the counter medication for their children, terming it as a dangerous move.
Speaking on Thursday at the hospital, the nursing officer advised parents to instead take their kids to local dispensaries or health centres, where they can receive services from qualified and approved medical staff.
"We have been receiving kids in terrible state after they were diagnosed and treated for the wrong ailments by some of the local pharmacists. Parents should seek medical treatment for their children in dispensaries and health centres in their localities," said Mwangi.
She noted that dispensaries and health centres usually refer patients they cannot treat to credible health facilities thus minimising the risks of misdiagnosis.
At the same time, she also appealed to pregnant mothers in the area to regularly go for clinical checkups, saying that the same local health facilities offers both pre-natal and post-natal care services.
"It is very important for pregnant mothers to seek pre-natal care which is readily available in most local health facilities. Such mothers should not ignore these check-ups to avoid complications during birth," she added.