Tomorrow, September 25th will be observed as World Pharmacists' Day. It is set aside annually to recognize the important role that practitioners of the profession play in the world's healthcare systems.
Here in Belize, the Ministry of Health intends to use the day to recognize all those pharmacists who have provided many long years of service to the general public. This afternoon, we spoke via teleconference with one of the Health Ministry's spokespersons about how World Pharmacy Day will be celebrated in Belize.
Here's what she had to say about the profession and those who work in this field:
Samira Williams-Gongora - Acting technical advisor, Pharmacy Unit
"It's our day. It's a day that highlights what we do, recognizing the hard work that we do every day, day in, day out, attending to our patients, providing pharmaceutical care to our patients, both private and public. It's highlighting everything that we do, and this year the theme is ‘Transforming Global Health". So, our work continues. We evolve into how we can attend tour our patients, how we can improve the service, how we can be more attentive to our patients. In addition to the regions treating their staff, we are highlighting the years of service that our pharmacists have given to this profession. So, we have prepared tokens for highlighting the years that each person has served as registered pharmacists. So, we want to show them that we are thankful for the years that you've given to our people, and to the government, and we want you to continue doing so, keeping the level at the optimal, as you always have. We have one person who has almost 30 years in the service. There are 2 that are almost 30 years in the service."
Reporter
"So, for you guys in the profession, what are some of the common challenges you all face trying to give the best service you can to your customers and the patients who come seeking your professional help?"
Samira Williams-Gongora
"Oh well, sometimes, because we're kinda the last line in the health care professional chain, sometimes when the patients reach to us, they're all out of patience. And so, they kinda want to get their medication and go in a hurry. Since we're the last contact with the patient, we have to ensure that all segments of the chain have done properly and that they're getting the proper medication for the proper condition. So, sometimes, you see them come, and they're like, just give me and allow me to go. So, that's what we see, the impatient, but we're there to ensure that your contact with the system was properly done."
