Health boost for NC as dept absorbs pharmacy learners

THE NORTHERN Cape Department of Health has absorbed 99 Post Basic Pharmacy Assistant learners with the aim of speeding-up pharmaceutical care and the provision of pharmaceuticals in health facilities in the Province.

Department spokesperson Lebogang Majaha said the learners had been recruited from the

respective towns of their residence and will be deployed to these towns in order to lend a hand at health facilities.

“The MEC for Health, Maruping Lekwene, announced during the 2022/23 Health Budget Vote that about 99 Post Basic Pharmacy Assistants will qualify in the July financial year and shall upon conclusion of their studies be absorbed primarily in primary health facilities. These learners were recruited from towns where they reside in, as they are to take up employment at those facilities in close proximity to their respective places of residence,” said Majaha.

“This milestone achievement was made possible by the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA) in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 financial years, wherein these learners were enrolled into the Pharmacy

Assistant Learnership Programme.

“Of the 99 pharmacy assistant learners enrolled in 2020, 13 learners who are in possession of a Basic Pharmacy Assistant qualification completed their Post Basic Pharmacy Assistant qualification during the course of 2021. The remaining 86 learners completed their Basic Pharmacy Assistant qualification during the course of 2021 and were subsequently enrolled for the Post Basic qualification when funding was once again secured from HWSETA for the 2021/22 financial year.”

Majaha said the learners will also undergo training to ensure that they are well-equipped to deliver on their tasks.

“To date, they have all qualified as Post Basic Pharmacy Assistants and will undergo training on our RX Solution System. This will enable the department to keep a close eye on the levels of our stock as well as the rate of utilisation.”

Majaha added that MEC Lekwene commended the learners in taking up their roles and said they would play a crucial role in the delivery of quality health services to residents in the Province.

“The MEC stated that he is elated with these appointments, as they will assist in building a resilient and sustainable system within health-care facilities in order for service delivery, including Covid-19 vaccinations, to continue with minimal disruptions.

“Not only is this a push towards denting youth unemployment, but this also creates a career path that will also relieve nursing staff from having to focus on dispensing medication to focusing on patient care.

“Also, September marks Pharmacy Month. During this month, our team will embark on a series of campaigns focusing on, among others, reproductive health and family planning, chronic diseases treatment and lifestyle modifications, pharmaceutical management of mental health and screening for TB, HIV, STIS and other chronic conditions,” Majaha concluded.