Daily portraits: the pharmacy unit
Array
Cœur de Gazelles
The pharmacy unit welcomes patients at the end of their visit to the medical caravan. Khalid and Majdouline are brother and sister and work together year-round. Their unit is at the end of the chain since they distribute the medications prescribed by the doctors during consultations.
But their role goes much further than that, because the members of these communities do not know how to use medications. Each time the volunteers hand over a medication, they provide a short explanation which may appear insignificant to us, but which is essential for these patients unaccustomed to receiving medical care and who are therefore not aware of the positive impacts of the treatments they receive.
Another example of the importance of education and raising awareness by members of our team!
The distribution of medications poses a problem in Morocco, because prescriptions are often poorly adapted to patients’ needs. As the caravan cannot receive deliveries on location, the pharmacists must anticipate their needs in advance. Before each edition of the caravan, they carefully analyze past statistics in order to order the correct quantities according to the villages the caravan will be visiting and the profiles of the patients there.
This meticulous work requires sound knowledge of the profession, and is realized through the logistics support of our partner Aïcha (Les Conserves de Meknès).
Presentation of the team
First name: Khalid
Occupation: Pharmacist and Training Manager
Number of years with CDG: 12
Why did you choose Cœur de Gazelles? “I was involved with a different association, and the president of that association told me about Cœur de Gazelles. The caravan had an urgent need for pharmacy services, so I took care of my affairs and one week later I was on location. I have been involved in community work all my life, and my sister as well. It’s rooted in our family, and my sister and I are used to working together. I am adventurous, passionate about geology, and wanted to discover new landscapes. I like Cœur de Gazelles because it’s the largest medical caravan in Morocco, and it’s a highly rewarding personal and professional experience. The initial task, to have a complete pharmacy in the middle of the desert, was a great challenge and I wanted to make it work. I also like the team spirit, our ability to all work together.”
First name: Majdouline
Occupation: Pharmacy Technician
Number of years with CDG: 10
Why did you choose Cœur de Gazelles? “I learned about the caravan in the same way as my brother, because we worked for the same association at the time. Community service is rooted in Moroccan society and in my family. Cœur de Gazelles is different that other associations, it’s a mix of cultures and generations. There is an extraordinary openness, and a real spirit of sharing between the French and Moroccan volunteers. Every year, we form a new homogeneous entity, with people who are extremely professional. I like to be useful. It is a powerful human experience and a very friendly ambiance. This caravan lets me help more people, especially the disadvantaged.”
