Across sub-Saharan Africa, young people are accessing health products, including family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH) methods, at local pharmacies. These small businesses are integrated in the local community, offer confidential services, and are led by committed health professionals. A recent mixed-methods study published in BMJ found that in Kenya, “pharmacies were perceived [by young people] to be everything that health facilities are not: fast, private and non-limiting.”  

Our research over the past four years with Rwandan youth reveals similar insights. While in some cases health facilities offer free services, young people may prefer pharmacies because they are quick, confidential, and always around the corner. 

It was these insights that made the CyberRwanda project what it is today. We have partnered with local pharmacists since 2016 to co-design a youth-facing website where young people can find answers to their questions about voluntary FP/RH and gain access to health services. We’ve worked together to create a service design model that helps ensure a positive healthcare experience for young people and providers alike, and are testing an interactive digital game to educate pharmacists on youth-friendly care. 

As we celebrate World Pharmacist Day, we invite you to meet three pharmacists who work hard every day to deliver youth-friendly care in Rwanda!

Raissa Diane Gwiza

“I’ve been a pharmacist for five years, and it has changed my life in many ways, especially when it comes to how I relate with people. I’d say I’m more compassionate, more understanding, and less judgmental. All of this, of course, has a lot to do with what being a pharmacist actually entails; we meet different people with different personalities every day, and that changes you as a person, and I like how it has changed me. Of course, it hasn’t always been easy but my family supported me from the get-go and the whole concept of pharmacies has changed a lot over the past five years.

I remember when I first came in, anyone could have operated a retail pharmacy, but nowadays, methods have been put in place and to operate one requires certain qualifications. And this is a good thing because now people come to you when they need health services. Before, almost no one would come to a pharmacy unless they had a medical prescription. Today, people come to pharmacies as the first option; they come to ask questions, to understand what they are struggling with, and to access health products. That is a good thing, but we still have a long way to go, especially with young people; they are just different.”

“It can be difficult for young people to come to pharmacies and to open up about their issues because of the misconception/stereotypes that pharmacists are old, judgmental people. Young people don’t want to deal with that.  

So, it is a thin thread to cross because young people will come to you and you will need to serve them in a friendly and understanding way that encourages them to be honest with you and to want to come back. But you still need to understand exactly what they go through, the peer pressure they face, the limitless choices, etc. It wouldn’t hurt to have a young face in the pharmacy! Until then, first impressions are everything when serving young people.”

Emmanuel Muragijimana

“Growing up, I always wanted to be a medical professional but it wasn’t until much later that I realized I wanted to specifically become a pharmacist. It is a bit similar to other medical professions but also different in its own ways, especially when it comes to privacy and the swift delivery of services. At a pharmacy, you just enter, you say what you want and that’s it. Of course, that depends on the products or drugs you’re looking for, but for young people, this aspect of privacy and fast delivery is what makes it favorable for them. Granted, it wasn’t always this way.

Before, who really knew anything about pharmacies? Very few people did. And to a degree, that had to do with how they were run; there were no rules, it was just another business that anyone could run, concerned only about making a profit. But now, things have changed and pharmacies have become something that plays a big role in the community. We, pharmacists, are actually viewed as advisors and caregivers. It’s been two years for now and I’m enjoying every moment of it.”

Geofrey Beingana

“People always ask me why I became a pharmacist and it amazes how little they know about the crucial roles that pharmacies play in the community. In Kigali alone, it’s almost impossible to walk 100 meters without encountering a pharmacy. Why? Because pharmacies have come to be relied upon by many people for information and healthcare-related knowledge that is vital and helpful to everyone. Not only that, almost every person who acquires any healthcare service will always end up at the pharmacy. This of course puts us on our toes; we always have to think about how we operate and that those who come to us are satisfied. 

Change is slow, but it’s still there and we need to celebrate it! For example, not so long ago, pharmacies weren’t even conducive for young people to work in. It was unheard of for a young person to consider being a pharmacist. All that has changed now. Pharmacists are now trained on how to talk to different clients and how to create a comfortable environment for everyone. It’s been 3 years for me now, and I’ve enjoyed every moment. I’m passionate about it. It’s all about giving back to the community and it has always been fulfilling for me to know that I’m playing a part in someone else living a healthier life.”

What a passionate and talented group! Pharmacists in Kigali, and around the world, are advocates for the health of their communities. The CyberRwanda team is so proud to be collaborating with health professionals like Geofrey, Emmanuel, and Raissa to increase the quality and access to voluntary FP/RH care for young people. 

Local pharmacists are wonderful partners who until recently seem to have been hiding in plain sight. We encourage those working in public health to continue to build ties between the public and private sectors to sustainably improve health outcomes for young people and their communities. If you would like to learn more about CyberRwanda and our partnerships with pharmacists, please reach out!