WORLD LITERACY DAY ; PHARMACIST OPENS A WINDOW TO THE HEALTH LITERACY FOR PUBLIC

WORLD LITERACY DAY ; PHARMACIST OPENS A WINDOW TO THE HEALTH LITERACY FOR PUBLIC  

Augustine Xavier , Athira. B.M ,

Pharm.D intern, Alshifa college of Pharmacy

Ever  heard the saying that Illiteracy is a disease? Perhaps, that informed the setting aside of September 8 every year as the International Literacy Day by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO; an agency of the United Nations whose purpose is to contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through education, science, and culture. It is a day set aside  to raise global awareness and concern for literacy problems within communities. According to UNESCO, literacy is a human right because it is a tool of personal empowerment and, a means of social and human development. Also, because educational opportunities depend on literacy, literacy is at the heart of basic 'education for all'  and is essential for eradicating poverty, reducing child mortality, curbing population growth, achieving gender equality and ensuring sustainable development, peace and democracy.

          The theme of International Literacy Day 2015 was “Literacy and Sustainable Societies”. In Kerala the initiative for literacy day programmes for people living in rural areas was undertaken by JSS(Jan Shikshan Shasthan), which is an organization under central government aimed at the empowerment of rural population through educational and skill development programmes. On this literacy day, the JSS Malappuram unit and Pharmacy practice department of Al-Shifa college of pharmacy stood hand to hand and arranged a health education campaign for people living in a coastal region of Thanoor panchayath.  Its  a matter of honour for us to be a part of such a community  work where we could provide the  phamacist services to the best deserved . Awareness was given on general health topics like personnel hygiene, sanitation as well as guidance for the prevention of common communicable and non-communicable diseases. Information on appropriate use of drugs, proper diet plans and other life style practices were  also provided.  The positive response from the puplic becomes the fuel for our future ventures. All these programmes emphasise that the involvement of clinical pharmacists in community  activities will surely up lift our  professional  integity and social commitment.