UNAIR NEWS – Covid-19 pandemic did not stop alumni of UNAIR Faculty of Pharmacy (ALFAS) to keep in touch with others. ALFAS held a halalbihalal event entitled Konco Dewe Gathering: Halal Bihalal and Discussion on Monday, June 1, 2020. Not only having a friendly meeting, the event also shared stories and challenges of UNAIR pharmacy alumni during Covid-19 pandemic.
In the event held via Zoom, all participants agreed that the pharmaceutical sector was one of the affected sectors and had important role in the effort to deal with Covid-19. “We, who run the pharmacy business must rack our brains because of limited community mobilization. So now we are aggressively conducting digital marketing, “said Rulli, Class 2003 alumnus who runs a pharmacy business.
According to Rulli, now pharmacy entrepreneurs must start to utilize social media platforms such as halodoc, gojek, and whatsapp to attract consumers. Moreover, pharmaceutical entrepreneurs must also pay more attention to their employees and human resources.
“In times like this, our human resources should be provided with protection, training, motivation, and reward. Because they are on frontline service in these difficult times. ” he said
Challenges in the pharmaceutical sector area also present in hospitals. During this pandemic, pharmacists in the hospital faced higher work pressure.
“Planning PPE and mask procurement in hospitals is very complicated. Sometimes even competing with other hospitals for supplies. We have been working as pharmacist for months, like never taking a break, from the clinical pharmacy service, medical devices, to HRD, “said Mira, Class 2001 Pharmacy alumna who is actively working in a Covid-19 referral hospital.
According to Mira, it happened because there were no permanent guidelines in the handling Covid-19. So the guidelines often change. Until now the majority of hospitals in Indonesia follow the guidelines issued by the association of lung doctors.
Another challenge for pharmacists in hospitals is the limited supply of PPE and masks. Therefore, donations from the community have always been a very meaningful aid for handling Covid-19.
“Procurement of medical equipment is now very difficult. We pharmacists have to think hard on how to manage the budget so we can continue to have enough stock. Fortunately, there are donations that continue to flow from the community. That really helps, ” she said.
Mira on the other hand also said that sometimes PPE donations or masks given by the community or institutions were not the standards. So Mira urged donors to pay more attention to the standards so that donations are not in vain.
Another story also came from an alumni of UNAIR Faculty of Pharmacy (FF) who are working and studying abroad, Fadhil, Fajar, and Evhy. They are facing a pandemic in the Netherlands, Canada and China. Although, they are also experiencing limitations and social distancing, they are trying to give encouragement to other alumni who are working against Covid-19 in Indonesia.
During the event attended by 170 people, a fundraising was also held for the handling of Covid-19. “Donations in to the end of the event reached 25 million rupiah for Universitas Airlangga Hospital and Dr. Soetomo, “said Retno Sari as a lecturer in the Faculty of Pharmacy. (*)
Author: Intang Arifia
Editor: Feri Fenoria
