It was more than just a meet and greet for the team of the BVI Health Service Authority’s (BVIHSA) Pharmacy, as the group hosted a Health Expo that served both entertainment and education. The event, which was held today 23 September in observance of World Pharmacists Day, garnered community interest with requests made for a follow-up event.
The Expo was held at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Lobby, and members of the Pharmacy team provided medication counseling, as well as one on one and group presentations on medication information.
Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the BVI Health Services Authority Dr. June Samuel lauded the BVIHSA Pharmacy Unit for the initiative and stated that the Expo brought awareness of the crucial role that pharmacists play in health care.
“We recognize the importance of our Pharmacists as a part of the Healthcare team. Their role and support in ensuring the education and compliance of users are critical in the care and treatment of patients. The activity in the lobby allowed the staff and community to experience that interaction and contribute to our greater understanding of the part that pharmacists play in healthcare,” Dr. Samuel noted.
The event placed emphasis on health maintenance, and in addition to the BVIHSA Pharmacists, the Expo featured pharmaceutical service providers and health associations. Persons in attendance participated in games, won giveaways, and benefited from health checks such as diabetes screenings.
It was a needed initiative and Pharmacist/Pharmacy Manager Dr. Jamal Wintz said that the Expo also served as a familiarization and educational forum. “This event was part of our community and organizational engagement efforts. Both the wider BVIHSA staff and the wider BVI community were able to meet our Pharmacists, learn our names, and hopefully feel more connected when they call us.”
Mr. Wintz further stated that he is happy that the Pharmacy Unit was able to promote health and self-care among the staff of the organization; as well as persons from the community who attended. “The BVI Health Services Authority plays an important role in the promotion of a healthy Territory, and I am pleased that this Health Expo served as another reminder of the many services that the organization offers. The BVIHSA Pharmacy provides both prescription and over-the-counter drugs and we are happy that the public was able to learn more about our services.”
The displays from community organizations added to the benefits of the Health Expo; and Procurement Pharmacist, Mr. Neil Hawke explained that the event provided a friendly atmosphere for critical information exchange. He further noted that there was collaboration, as BVIHSA Pharmacists were able to reach out to community organizations and invite them to be part of the event. Best of all he noted that some of the Pharmacy’s suppliers were excited to be part of the Expo and made samples available for future activities. “This means that the community can look forward to hearing of another BVIHSA Pharmacy event that would be even more rewarding,” Mr. Hawke hinted.
Pharmacist, Mrs. Akeema Jankie-Emmanuel said that the event met its aim. “The purpose of World Pharmacists Day is to encourage activities that promote and advocate for the role of the pharmacist in improving health in every corner of the world. I am happy that here in the Virgin Islands the BVIHSA Pharmacy team was able to engage in a more social way with those we serve. We are a community service provider and we hope that more persons will visit either our pharmacy in the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital or the Nurse Iris O’Neal clinic for their medicinal needs.”
The International Pharmaceutical Federation has set a target to reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by 2030. This year’s theme is “Pharmacy United in Action for a Healthier World”