Pharmaceutical professionals in The Gambia gathered at Westfield on September 25th to celebrate World Pharmacist Day for the first time in the country. This global event, observed annually since 2009, highlights the essential role pharmacists play in healthcare worldwide.
The day commemorates the founding of the International Pharmaceutical Federation in 1912. In Gambia, the Pharmaceutical Society organized free blood sugar and blood pressure screenings for the public as part of the celebrations.
Dr. Ousainou Muhanera, the spokesperson for the Pharmaceutical Society of The Gambia, emphasized the importance of the day, noting that this year’s event focused on giving back to the community through health screenings for conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. The society also distributed medications to those in need.
Additionally, Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Asif from Ahmadiyya Muslim Hospital spoke about the pharmacists’ ongoing efforts to improve the quality of medicines and provide guidance to patients on proper medication use.
One of the beneficiaries, Fatou Gibba, shared her story, explaining how a health checkup revealed her high blood pressure. She expressed gratitude to the pharmacists for their generosity, stating that the program was a blessing for her and other patients.
