…Calls for collective action against malaria
As part of its activities to mark this year ‘World Malaria Day’ 2022, the Young Pharmacists Group of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN-YPG), Oyo State Chapter, in partnership with Emzor Pharmaceutical Plc, has offered free medical and health services to over 200 residents of Eruwa, a town in Oyo State, and its adjoining towns.
Explaining the motive behind the initiative, the Coordinator, PSN-YPG Oyo State, Pharm. Oyelude Firin Oyetunde, noted that YPG is an interest group of the PSN, with membership open to all pharmacists licensed by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, who are not more than 35 years of age .
Speaking further at the programme. which was held at Ankoo Primary Healthcare Centre, Eruwa, Oyo State, Oyetunde, explained that the initiative was aimed at supporting the health of the residents and as well celebrate the ‘World Malaria Day 2022’.
She explained that the gesture was part of their social responsibilities adding that PSN-YPG Oyo as a responsible body would continue to do this as a means of contributing their quota to the development of healthcare in the state, saying the programme would help the beneficiaries learn more about their health, especially about malaria.
Speaking on the theme of the programme “Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives”, she stressed the need for investments and innovation that bring new vector control approaches, diagnostics, antimalarial medicines and other tools to speed the pace of progress against malaria
“We had a free medical screening for all of the people who came here to present themselves to the officials, as we registered them, took their vitals, while they go to our personnel for interpretation and consultation. Then, some personnel attended to them and gave them drugs to help manage and treat the condition.
Oyetunde, however noted that Malaria remains a significant public health and development challenge, advising the people to desist from consulting quacks just as she educated them on the adverse effects of taking drugs that are not being prescribed by the pharmacists.
She added, “We have pharmaceutical companies, corporate organisations, and other individuals such as Emzor Pharmaceutical Plc, who happened to be our major sponsor as they practically partnered with us by donating money, several cartons of drugs and souvenirs to us. While we also have others like Bond Chemicals Industry Limited; May & Baker Pharmaceutical Limited, and Afrab Chem Nigeria Limited”.
While speaking, the Treasurer of PSN-YPG, Oyo State, Pharm. Yemisi Oyetunde said they came to Eruwa with the mindset that few people would come out, but they were surprised by the number of people that were on the ground when they arrived and the crowd that came in later, adding that the exercise was a worthy one.
He further explained that the free healthcare outreach featured point of care testing, free consultation and pharmaceutical care, free medications, health awareness, as well as free malaria test, blood pressure check, sugar levels, BMI test, height and weight check, as well as a rapid diagnostic test.
While speaking, the Matron-in-charge, Ankoo Primary Healthcare Centre, Dorcas Ojediran, commended the members of PSN-YPG in the state for organising such a laudable programme for the resident of the town, adding that the gesture would go a long way in ensuring that every resident of the town has access to good healthcare.
Appreciating the pharmacists for the good gesture, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs Oluwakemi Adetoro, said she was quite happy with the act, adding that the free screening exercise and awareness were a big boost to them as residents of the town and would linger in the memory of the residents.
Other beneficiaries, an octogenarian. Mr Sunday Olayeri and Mrs Sarah Adeleke enjoined other healthcare providers and organisations in the country to take a cue from what the pharmacists have done and reach out to assist people in enjoying better health as a way of giving back to the society.
