Medication Safety in Children | Dr. Akram Hussein in Rohingya Language

Rohingya Medics Organisation

Every medication has a set dosage. What do we mean by dose? Dose is the amount of the medication that is required to treat the given condition. This includes how much, how many times a day and how many days to take. Overdosage will give harm or even become poisonous, whereas under-dosage will be ineffective and the illness will progress.

Children are not merely a half or a quarter of adult. They are unique in their own way and need to be dose accordingly. This is why doctors will prescribe an appropriate dosage regimen which should be followed.

Use the measuring devices provided with your children’s medication. Do not simply estimate the dose. If you don’t have the appropriate measuring devices, you may use available spoon to calculate the dose. Common measures include; one teaspoon is 5 ml and one tablespoon is 15 ml. Do not give tablet or capsule for child under 6 to swallow as this could be a choking hazard and life-threatening. Please give appropriate liquid formulation where possible.

Please keep medications away from children’s reach. This also applies for all household substances that could be harmful or poisonous to children such as detergents, rat poisons, bleach, petrol and paint. Keep away medications from sunlight and moisture as these could degrade or spoil the medications.