Health workers demand approval of consultancy status for pharmacists

Forum 11 months ago

Health workers demand approval of consultancy status for pharmacists

Striking health workers under the Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU and the Assembly of Healthcare Professionals Association, AHPA, weekend demanded immediate and unconditional implementation of the approved consultation cadre circular of pharmacists in all federal health institutions.

In a press statement made available to Vanguard, the union in a statement by its Acting National Secretary, Comrade Matthew Ajirotu, also called on the Federal Government to effect the payment of specialist allowances to deserving health professionals.

Ajirotu further bemoaned what he described as the ‘different tactics’ employed to suppress attempts of non-physician health professionals to diversify and expand their knowledge base by refusing to accord them recognition when they bag post-graduate degrees and fellowships.

The statement states: “In 2021, Dr. Osagie Ehanire gave directives to the UCH, Ibadan Board to terminate the Consultant status of all non-physician health professionals. Pharmacists went through the entire gamut of due process, having secured approvals from the National Council on Establishment as far back as 2011 for their consultant cadre.

“In 2020 and 2021, official circulars were issued from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) who is also a physician, and the Federal Ministry of Health through its immediate past Permanent Secretary who was rated as one of the most seasoned bureaucrats of his generation to further boost the consultant cadre in pharmacy practice.”

He noted that the Niger State Government already introduced the consultant cadre in pharmacy practice as far back as 2013, while states like Edo, and Osun have since followed suit.

Ajurotu who also reminded that two pharmacists were appointed as consultants at the Aso Rock Villa Clinic in May 2023, said: “Dr Enahire confirmed with the precedents of the inglorious era of Prof. Christian Chukwu and Prof. Isaac Adewole to insist that only physicians can be consultants in Federal Health Institutions by issuing a ridiculous circular through the infamous Department of Hospital Services that ties the appointment of pharmacists consultants based on vacancies which must be created by the Federal Ministry of Health”.

He informed that both the JOHESU and AHPA have critically appraised the development and demanded that in tune with the official circulars for Consultants cadre in Pharmacy practice in the public sector, all the federal health Institutions must appoint at least 15 Pharmacist Consultants in each Teaching Hospital, while the Federal Medical Centre and its equivalents must have at least 10 Pharmacist Consultants.