LIMPOPO WELCOMES 86 PHARMACIST ASSISTANTS
THE problems previously experienced in the dispensing of medicines at various health facilities in Limpopo will be a thing of the past.
This was after the provincial department of health and social development honoured 86 graduate pharmacists to assist in the dispensing of medicines in the province.
Of the number, 48 were permanent staff members and had to be retrained to acquire more skills in the field, while the remaining 38 were new recruits who would be absorbed by the department.
There are 142 facilities in the province and the department is aiming to train 110 pharmacists in the next financial year.
This is to make sure there are no problems of stock control, expiring medications and stock placement.
The department has partnered with the Foundation for Professional Development and the Health Science Academy.
The department has since 2007 registered a total of 332 students for basic and post-basic pharmacist assistants.
During a graduation ceremony last week, MEC for health Dipuo LetsatsiDuba said her department would appoint pharmacy managers in all facilities to “fast-track ” the appointment of responsible pharmacists.
Tsakane Shivuri, the best performer in the postbasic pharmacist assistant, said she was delighted to have been offered the opportunity to study and was ready for the job.