Pharmacy opening hours extended to 24 hours a day following community-led advocacy

After community-led advocacy interventions, through Citizen, Voice and Action (CVA), a pharmacy in a local health facility in the north of Mozambique saw its opening hours extended to 24 hours a day. Before, the pharmacy would open from 7am to 2pm.

The extension results from CVA sessions conducted by community members after being trained in this methodology, which aims to equip communities to hold their own governments accountable for the promises they make, by educating citizens about their rights and empowering them to advocate for improvements to basic services.

Maria Bernardo is a mother of seven who says although “there’s still a lot to be improved in our clinic, especially after population increased in the village, we’re happy that the pharmacy now operates 24 hours a day.”

She adds that “the clinic’s pharmacy would close very early, which affected the lives of people in need of medicines.”

In turn, Fernando Rafael, a father of eight, says “the pharmacy now has six pharmacists against one technician that used to be available.”

Fernando adds that “During the night, it was impossible to get medicines. The only thing to do was just wait until morning to have access to the pharmacy,” as he remembers with sadness that “In the past people would lose their lives due to lack of immediate access to the pharmacy for medicines at night.”

In Nacaroa district, Nampula province, northern Mozambique, nearly 30 people were trained. The training was attended by community members and representatives of government institutions.