A Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Dr Abdullahi Kabir, has warned that the misuse of misoprostol poses serious health risks and could lead to maternal and infant deaths.
Kabir, a consultant at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, gave the warning in an interview with reporters on Friday in Bauchi.
According to him, misoprostol is a medically approved drug used to prevent stomach ulcers, induce labor under strict medical supervision, and control postpartum haemorrhage.
He explained that improper use of the drug could result in uterine rupture, excessive bleeding, severe injury to the baby and, in some cases, the death of both mother and child.
The consultant said the hospital had recorded several cases of women presenting with severe complications linked to the misuse of misoprostol.
“The drug should only be administered in properly equipped health facilities with qualified doctors, functional operating theaters for emergency caesarean sections, and available blood banks to manage complications,” he said.
Kabir expressed concern that many pregnant women patronize traditional birth attendants and unqualified health workers who misuse the drug, often leaving patients with severe and irreversible complications.
He noted that uterine rupture caused by improper use of misoprostol frequently leads to infertility, adding that in severe cases, doctors are forced to tie or completely remove the uterus to save the woman’s life.
He further warned that even when the uterus is repaired, future pregnancies remain highly risky, as the repaired area may rupture again before labor, leading to massive bleeding and possible death before reaching a hospital.
Kabir called on health authorities to intensify public enlightenment campaigns targeting women, traditional birth attendants and healthcare workers on the dangers of misoprostol misuse and the need for strict medical supervision.
He also urged men to ensure their wives access antenatal and delivery care in well-equipped hospitals, stressing that patronizing unqualified providers puts the lives of pregnant women at serious risk.
