The medical officer in charge of the County Health Department in Yirol East County in Lakes State, Daniel Yong Alony, confirmed that a 29-year-old man died after taking three cups of traditional herbal medicines in the remote village of Yali Payam on Monday.
The incident occurred after the deceased, identified as Adut Kulang Majok, went to the bush, extracted unknown herbs, and later prepared and drank them.
The medical officer told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that the Kulang took three cups of the herbal medicine and his colleague, Manyang Tuol Malual, drank two cups instead of the one cup recommended by a local herbalist and is now admitted to the hospital where he is responding to treatment.
Yong said the two developed severe stomach ache and started vomiting blood before Adut who overdosed himself passed away in the village before reaching the county hospital in Yirol East County. He cautioned people about the use of herbal medicines that are not quantitated.
“We have preaching even in the churches, we have been calling on the general public and telling them the dangers of herbal medicine. Herbal medicines are not scientifically proven for any treatment,” he stated. “We all the time encourage the public to seek treatment at the hospital from well-trained doctors.”
Yong added: “If at all the medicine for your sickness is not available at the hospital, we may refer you to another clinic to complete your treatment.”
Many counties across the country often report drug and other medical shortages, forcing people to either buy medicines from pharmacies or resort to traditional medicines whose efficacy is not scientifically proven.