Promoting healthcare for patients
Pharmacy Month is commemorated in September and Gamalakhe Community Health Centre's pharmacy manager, Nelisiwe Qalashe said this year's theme focused on all sectors of pharmacy units to promote, empower and provide.
Under the theme of pharmacy united in promoting healthcare for patients, the Gamalakhe Community Health Centre recently observed National Pharmacy Month.
It is commemorated in September and Gamalakhe Community Health Centre’s pharmacy manager, Nelisiwe Qalashe said this year’s theme focused on all sectors of pharmacy units to promote, empower and provide.
Qalashe said Pharmacy Month was aimed at educating the public on the role of pharmacists and pharmacy support personnel in delivering primary healthcare services to the community and promoting the uptake of immunisation.
She added that it is also important to educate the public on drug identification.
“The theme also aims to encourage and promote communication between patients and pharmacists and pharmacy support personnel as part of rational medicine use. Gamalakhe CHC Pharmacy department was participating to ensure that the theme was being implemented. Patients were engaged on the importance of completing their medication. Roadshows to different schools around the Gamalakhe area were held as well as radio slots at local community radio stations to spread the message,” said Qalashe.
Gamalakhe Community Health Centre’s PRO Lifa Radebe said pharmacies play a vital role in the health system.
Radebe said that pharmacists ensure that patients receive the correct medication that is prescribed by the medical practitioners.
“While important information is already included with medicine, many patients benefit from verbal guidance like correct dosage and best ways to consume it and potential side effects. The pharmacy empowers patients by helping them tackle illness and boosting their confidence,” said Radebe.
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