Step into the captivating world of healthcare transformation! As the world gears up to celebrate the annual Pharmacists Day on September 25, 2023, we invite you to embark on a journey that not only celebrates the crucial role of pharmacists but also introduces you to a remarkable trailblazer who has shattered barriers in the pursuit of her medical dreams.
Welcome to a world where “Pharmacy Strengthening Health Systems” is not just a theme, but a rallying cry for change across the globe. The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), the undisputed global authority on pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, and pharmaceutical education, leads the charge in this monumental endeavor.
Now meet Mambira, a trailblazing pharmacist in South Sudan who has conquered gender biases and challenges in the pursuit of her medical dreams. In this enlightening interview, she shared her inspiring journey from aspiring to be a doctor to becoming a pharmacist, the hurdles she faces as a female healthcare professional, and her vision for the future of pharmacy in her homeland.
Mambira’s story begins with a unique twist. While her heart longed to be a medical doctor, her aversion to blood and needles led her to a different avenue within the medical realm- pharmacy. She found solace in working with drugs, tablets, capsules, and syrups, ultimately realizing that it was indeed the “next big thing” which she saw to deal with drugs and medicine without having to confront her fear of blood.
As a female pharmacist in South Sudan, Mambira has faced her fair share of challenges. “The pharmaceutical industry is not something that is well-recognized in the country, and being a female pharmacist compounds the issue.” She speaks. As a woman, she has noticed that male patients don’t give her the same level of respect and treatment compared to her male counterparts. There is also a cultural barrier where some men are embarrassed to talk about certain diseases with a female pharmacist, especially for medical conditions such as hemorrhoids. Furthermore, female pharmacists are often targets of harassment during evening shifts, which can pose difficulties and safety risks.
Studying in India gave Mambira useful exposure to a larger and more advanced medical industry with top-notch manufacturing and laboratories. She realized that South Sudan was a far cry from the prosperous medical industry in India. However, Mambira remains hopeful for the future of pharmacy in South Sudan and aims to see a time when pharmacists can develop their medicine and efficiently serve the country’s citizens.
One of the most critical aspects of pharmacy that Mambira believes everyone should know is the importance of teamwork. Pharmacists, doctors, lab technicians, and nurses all work together as a squad to achieve positive health outcomes. Despite the common misconceptions that pharmacists are merely drug traders, Mambira emphasizes that pharmacists are professionals who have trained for many years in the university, just like doctors, lawyers, and engineers. She laments, “people think we are just shopkeepers selling medicines in the market.”
Mambira’s passion for pharmacy lies in helping others, but she finds the lack of freedom of expression in South Sudan troubling. There are also several needs and requirements that need urgent attention, including the responsible importation of medicine.
Aside from her busy schedule, Mambira finds time to indulge in her hobbies of reading, writing, and singing. Writing helps her cope with stress and emotions. She also takes pride in South Sudan’s hospitality, although the absence of basic needs is a big drawback.
In summary, Mambira reflects the aspiration to see more female pharmacists in South Sudan and emphasizes the need for better recognition of the industry. As she looks to the future, Mambira’s dream is to establish a robust South Sudan pharmaceutical industry and make medication affordable and accessible to all.