By: Lunga Memela (HST Communications Engagement Lead)
Meet HST's Post-Basic Pharmacist Assistant, Vusi Cele, who takes care of the health and wellness of patients at Umlazi Township's D Clinic.
True to his profession, Vusi is dedicated to educating patients about the importance of adhering to medication. He says that, be it for acute or long-term illness, it is essential for everyone to take their medication as prescribed, and to complete the treatment regimen. "This improves quality of life, cures illness, and prevents secondary infections and illnesses, while also avoiding transmission of disease to other people." Vusi is deeply concerned about treatment interruption, and explains why this should never occur.
What causes treatment interruption, and what are the dangers of not completing one's treatment as prescribed?
"Patients tend to stop taking their medication as prescribed when they start feeling better. Patients also stop taking medication due to side-effects, or rumours they have heard regarding certain medication, and sometimes for fear of being stigmatised by family, friends and community members for taking certain medication. Not completing the course as prescribed will lead to drug resistance and infection may recur. This can also lead to more illnesses and in the worst cases, to death," Vusi says.
As a pharmacist by profession, how do you encourage people to take their medication properly?
"I'm committed to explaining the effects of not completing the prescribed course as prescribed," says Vusi. "I find that it's quite useful to explain the benefits of doing so. It is rewarding to seeing patients listening with understanding, and then adhering accordingly, thereby improving the status of their overall health."
How do you link people to treatment via the Central Chronic Medicine Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) / Dablapmeds programme?
Vusi has served in his role for three years at HST. He notes that there is much benefit in giving daily educational talks about registering for the free and convenient service called CCMDD which allows eligible patients to collect their government-issued medication at convenient pick-up points across the country.
Vusi explains that following up with patients who have not collected their medication from conveniently located Peleboxes is one of the ways used to return patients to care.
"Health Systems Trust and the Department of Health were strategic in installing Peleboxes, also known as 'Smart Lockers', at various clinics," he says. "This smart technology assists patients with chronic diseases who are registered on the CCMDD Programme to ensure that they have the required supplies of their medication, and can collect it rapidly when it suits them, without waiting in queues."
What is your impression of the Pelebox, and how do people respond to it? Is there one installed at the facility in which you work?
"The Pelebox is very convenient and user-friendly, which people appreciate," says Vusi. "For instance, at Umlazi D Clinic, we currently serve 2 900 patients. People don't want to stand in long queues, so the Pelebox is available for them as they come in and out, and this leads to fewer cases of treatment interruption. Also, I'm always there to assist with their queries on CCMDD and Pelebox."
"Often we find that young people are more resistant to collecting and taking their medication," he adds, "but it's work in progress."
What is your typical work day like?
"My day is always busy, handling CCMDD and medicine supply management. I conduct room and refrigerator temperature checks twice daily, order medicine from our mother facility, attend to consulting room issues, update stock cards, receive CCMDD parcels on SyNCH, and do random checks of medication expiry dates. I also attend to CCMDD queries, for example: recording details of patients who miss collection dates at external pick-up points, so that they can be contacted. I dispense COVID-19 vaccines to the facility and outreach staff for use in their services, and assist with manning the HST pick-up point van in the absence of drivers, and ensuring the smooth running of the Pelebox."
Forging ahead in the profession
Vusi's interest in pharmacy was sparked while he was employed at Alpha Pharm Distributers as a receiving clerk, where he was always curious about the various purposes and indications of medication in tablet, capsule, syrup and suspension form. "I studied to become a Post-Basic Pharmacist Assistant from 2016 to 2018 through the SBuys Academy, and did my practical training at Siyanakekela Pharmacy in Umlazi Mega City."
Vusi loves sharing his knowledge of medicine and the well-being of a patient when he interacts with people, and dreams of owning his own pharmacy one day. He was commended for his work by HST's eThekwini District Pharmaceutical Services Manager, Ashwin Bhangwandin.
For leisure, Vusi enjoys playing soccer and reading.