The National Association of Pharmaceutical Students of Sierra Leone is a recognized body of pharmacy students formed to ensure the promotion of pharmaceutical education in the country. They held their 3rd Annual General Assembly at the British Council auditorium, Tower Hill on 5th September 2019.
The theme of the conference was: “Impact of Pharmacists towards achieving universal health coverage in sierra Leone.”
According to Foday Umaro Turay the Secretary General for National Association of Pharmaceutical Students: “the Annual General Assembly brings together professionals from the pharmaceutical field to be in touch with students wherein they do lots of educational sessions as well as to work in line with innovative trends inclusive of other aspects in the pharmaceutical field and to also help students by explaining to them on how they could fit into recent trends.”
He added that when electing a new executive, they take into consideration the fact that the roles of the National Association of Pharmaceutical Student has to do with the professional development of students wherein they create symposiums that have to do with public health programs; helping humanity and making students understand that they are studying to be health professionals.
Other issues discussed included public health, and mental health campaigns, Malaria campaigns and many others health issues that are impacting on society.
Over the years, the pharmacist profession has not been recognized by the people as part of the health care professionals, helping to ensure the achievement of the universal health coverage in the country. The student body however has tried their best to eradicate these challenges by organizing programs, going to schools and explaining their roles which have helped in creating awareness about the field.
