By Davida Spaine-Solomon
Freetown, 24th November 2025- “Antibiotics do not prevent pregnancy, nor do they terminate it. Family planning methods exist for that purpose, condoms, implants, injections, emergency pills etc”, says Dr. Ibrahim Kamara, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) National Focal Point for WHO, Sierra Leone. Yet across Sierra Leone, dangerous myths persist, and misuse of antibiotics is quietly fueling one of the world’s deadliest health crises: antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Health experts warn that women are swallowing antibiotics in alarming ways, some taking up to ten tablets with Coca‑Cola in attempts to end pregnancies, others using them during menstruation to “clean their system,” or for harmless discharges that require no treatment. Many also take antibiotics for stomach aches or general discomfort. Doctors say these practices are not only ineffective but dangerous, driving resistance that makes infections harder to treat.
“When you take antibiotics when you shouldn’t, it leads to resistance. Globally, this misuse is the major problem for AMR,” explained Dr. Ibrahim Kamara, AMR National Focal Point for WHO Sierra Leone. “Antibiotics don’t prevent pregnancy, nor do they abort it,” he emphasized.
As the world marks World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week, experts remind us that AMR kills more than one million people annually. It develops when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to resist medicines meant to kill them. Without urgent action, routine surgeries, childbirth, and even minor injuries could once again become life‑threatening.
Dr. Kamara revealed that young people aged 15–24 are among the worst offenders. “We found they misuse antibiotics a lot, for pregnancy prevention, abortion, and even during menstruation,” he said. He also debunked another widespread myth: that intravenous (IV) medications are stronger than tablets. “That’s a lie. They have the same strength. IV medications were made for people who can’t take oral medication. Nobody should take IV medications at home.”
Unregulated drug sales remain a major driver of resistance. Dr. Joseph Sam Kanu, AMR Focal Point at the National Public Health Agency, warned: “Anybody who holds medicine to sell on the street doesn’t know what they are doing. Exposing medicines to the sun reduces their potency, and substandard drugs contribute to resistance.” He stressed that many illnesses do not require antibiotics at all, yet weak laws and poor enforcement allow counterfeit and improperly stored drugs to flourish.
Self‑medication is another dangerous trend. “The danger is that you end up with a bigger problem that harms you and those around you. If you contribute to bacteria resistance, it can kill you and transfer to others,” Dr. Kanu said. He emphasized that antibiotics are powerful drugs, not household remedies to be taken casually.
Despite the severity of the crisis, public awareness remains low. Dr. Kamara said sessions are being organised for journalists, youth groups, and professional bodies to amplify the message about rational antibiotic use. WHO experts globally stress the crucial role of the media in shaping public behaviour and holding policymakers accountable.
Local experts agree on one urgent message: use antibiotics properly. “Only use them when prescribed at a hospital and take them exactly as instructed. Don’t share antibiotics with family members,” Dr. Kamara urged.
Dr. Kanu added: “We are raising awareness so people understand that antibiotics are medicines. Even if given freely, they should not just be taken.”
With more than one in six bacterial infections now resistant to treatment, Sierra Leone is not immune. Rising misuse, poor regulation, and dangerous myths threaten to push the country deeper into a future where common infections become untreatable.
The message of World AMR Awareness Week is, Act now. Use antibiotics responsibly. Protect the medicines we still have.
