55% of the nine thousand medicines dispensed last year in Messina by the Buon Pastore Center went to Italian citizens, 45% to foreign citizens. The numbers emerged this morning during the press conference to present the Medicine Collection Days, scheduled for February 10th to 16th, promoted by Terra di Gesù Odv and the Pharmaceutical Bank.
A growing solidarity network
This important project is supported by Federfarma, the Order of Pharmacists, the Order of Doctors and other local associations, such as the AMMI (Associazione Mogli Medici), the CAV (Centre for Help with Life “Vittoria Quarenghi”), Fidapa Capo Peloro, Ignatianum high school and this year, for the first time, also by Alumnime (the association of former students of the University of Messina) which has chosen to support the initiatives of Land of Jesus.
“We will help the collection in two ways – said vice-president Natalia La Rosa – the first during the events we will organize this year and then also through our website where you can offer your contribution”.
The fight against health poverty
“Health poverty is often underestimated – said the president of Terra di Gesù, Francesco Certo – but it affects many families, preventing access to essential medicines and necessary medical care. The collection, which the Buon Pastore center has been organizing for years – he added – aims to fill this gap, offering immediate and tangible help to those in vulnerable conditions. The donated medicines, in particular cough syrups, antipyretics, lactic ferments, are carefully selected and distributed to those who have more need.”
Present at the press conference were among others the president and vice president of the Medical Association, Giacomo Caudo and Salvatore Rotondo and the president of Federfarma, Giovanni Crimi.
How to participate in the collection
The operation, which involves almost fifty pharmacies distributed throughout the area and numerous volunteers, represents a concrete gesture of support for all those people who find it difficult to guarantee the care they need. It starts on Tuesday 10 February and continues throughout the week.
Terra di Gesù invites citizens to actively participate, contributing with donations and sharing the initiative, so that no one has to give up the care they need for economic reasons. Solidarity, as demonstrated by the commitment of dozens of pharmacies and volunteers, is the engine of positive change that can make a difference in the lives of many people.