Pharmacists Praised For Dedication To Keeping Nation Healthy And Safe During Global Pandemic
Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 19th , 2020 (ZIZ News):
By: Chaïra Flanders
Minister of Health, ICT, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship and Talent, Hon. Akilah Byron-Nisbett, officially opened Pharmacy Week 2020 with an address to the nation on Monday.
The Health Minister said she felt pleased to offer remarks in solidarity of the federation’s Pharmacy Association as they celebrate Pharmacy Week with a host of activities which run from October 18-24.
During her message, the Minister applauded all pharmacists for their role in the functioning of St. Kitts and Nevis’ health sector.
“At this celebratory period, the Ministry of Health wishes to applaud all practicing and retired pharmacists and technicians for their enormous contribution to the healthcare sector”.
Minister Byron Nisbett went on to highlight the importance of pharmacists and technicians, noting that the nation is increasingly becoming more reliant on their services during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
“The discipline of Pharmacy is very wide and covers manufacturing, research and dispensing. Thus pharmacist and pharmacy technicians are vital to the effective management of any pharmacy establishment and healthcare system. In fact, at this critical juncture of the pandemic, the Ministry of Health is increasingly reliant on its pharmacist to ensure that adequate essential medications are available and that citizens are properly educated regarding medication administration and management”, she explained.
She said the Ministry is also grateful for the federation’s Pharmacy Association’s commitment to ensuring patients safety and encouraged all to participate in this week’s activities.
“In the current context of COVID-19, in many clinical and manufacturing settings, research pharmacists are assisting in developing treatment algorithms and new vaccines in the fight against the spread of the disease. The Ministry of Health is therefore deeply grateful and immensely appreciative of the invaluable role and functions of Pharmacists and their resiliency relative to patient safety. That being so I encourage all citizens of the Federation to support the association in this week of activities”
The Pharmacy Week 2020 activities began with a special worship service at the Antioch Baptist Church on Sunday, a lecture discussion on the topic, “Pain Management: Where are We and Where Should We Be?” on Monday. The activities will continue with a lecture discussion on the importance of combined therapy in cancer treatment, a panel discussion on the topic,“Pharmacy Beyond the Dispensing Counter” on Friday and a Fun Day on Saturday.
The Minister of Health advised that we must remember the tireless efforts of the St. Kitts and Nevis Pharmacy Association to keep the people “healthy and safe in a kind and caring way”
Pharmacy Week 2020 is being observed under the theme, “Pharmacy for a Better Tomorrow”.