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Women’s health, primary care and Link

What is primary care? And how can it support women’s well-being?

The WHO (World Health Organisation) summarises primary care as “a model of care that supports first-contact, accessible, continuous, comprehensive and coordinated person-focused care”. It goes on to say that primary care aims to optimise health and reduce disparities across the population.

The “first contact” referred to is most often a pharmacy, clinic, or doctor.

Accelerated by COVID, we are now seeing a shift towards “primary care clinics”, with traditional pharmacies extending their services. Typically, a pharmacy clinic will provide services such as:

  • Immunisation
  • Family planning, including contraception care
  • Antenatal care
  • Pregnancy care
  • HIV counselling
  • STD screening
  • Treatment and management of tuberculosis
  • Screening for preventable diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes and high blood pressure

Of the list of typical primary clinic services offered, we look at three areas where published survey results amplify how pharmacies can play a much-needed role in women’s health and well-being.

HIV counselling

As indicated by the HSRC (Human Sciences Research Council) survey published in 2023, HIV prevalence was nearly twice as high among South African women compared to men. A pharmacy clinic offers counselling to help women cope with HIV and to prevent further spread of the disease.

Contraception care

Contraception care is an important aspect of a pharmacist’s role as they can recommend which options are best suited to a particular woman. Given the high proportion of unintended pregnancies for teenagers highlighted by the Department of Basic Education, the need for contraception care and education from accessible parties such as pharmacies is increasingly important.

Type 2 diabetes

Diabetes is the leading cause of death among women in South Africa, as reported by the University of Pretoria Diabetes Research Centre in March 2024. Yet, a simple 2- or 3-minute sugar level screening at a pharmacy can result in a diagnosis and effective treatment.

UPD’s (United Pharmaceutical Distributors) Key Account Manager for Link, a licensee of UPD, Janine Openshaw describes Link’s position in primary care.

“The extent of primary care services can differ between pharmacies, and not every Link store offers a comprehensive primary care clinic. What every Link store does however offer is a skilled and empathetic pharmacy owner who understands the needs and dynamics of their communities intimately.

You do not necessarily need a fully-fledged clinic to enjoy the extensive and often far-reaching benefits of having access to an experienced pharmacy owner who, in many cases, has counselled their community for decades and upgraded their knowledge continuously. Link pharmacy is cognisant of its role in providing ‘good health’ – our brand’s promise – to women across South Africa”.

 

While all reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this article, information may change or become dated, as new developments occur. The Link group shall not be held liable or accountable for the accuracy, completeness or correctness of any information for any purpose. No content in this article, irrespective of the date or reference source, should be viewed as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor, pharmacist or any other suitably qualified clinician.

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