Mr George Hedidor, Principal Pharmacist at the National Drugs Information Resource Centre, has advised Ghanaians against misuse and abuse of drugs especially antibiotic drugs.

He said many Ghanaians used antibacterial drugs in treating common colds and other ailments and this could result in resistance and make patients incurable for other diseases.

Mr Heditor gave the advice in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Tamale on Wednesday at a training workshop organised for members of the Coalition of NGOs in Health in the Northern Region as part of the Action on Antibiotic Resistance (ReACT) project funded by some Swedish nationals.

He said antibiotics consisted of compounds or chemicals that inhibited or kill bacteria in humans or animals and its use must be guided by medical prescription since each bacterium had its special treatment and must not be abused.

Mr Heditor, who is also the Coordinator of the ReACT Project, said antibiotics were used to treat diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, wounds and any other disease caused by bacteria.

He said consumers must be very careful in resorting to self-prescription of drugs but should always seek medical advice from professional medical personnel.

Mr Heditor expressed worry about the abuse of dettol, a common disinfectant and antiseptic detergent that many ladies use it to clean their vagina and this could cause diseases including cancer.

He said there was no need to use any medicine to clean the genitals or the vagina since the body had a natural cleansing agent that could keep all parts of the body clean.

Mr Heditor also advised partners against engaging in oral sex including licking of the vagina because it was harmful and could create fertile grounds for many health problems.

Mr Kenneth Wujangi, National Board Chairman of the Coalition of NGOs in Health, said the coalition since its inception in 2006 had contributed significantly to health delivery especially in rural communities.

Mr Wujangi said even though most of its members were in the health sector, others were rendering water and sanitation services in their communities and expressed worry that the national and global economic crises had dealt a blow to its programmes.