Develop single-salary structure for healthcare professionals, pharmacists tell FG

The Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) has called the Federal Government to develop a single-salary structure for healthcare practitioners.

The association made the call in a statement jointly signed by its national chairman and national secretary, Mr Olabode Ogunjemiyo and Mr Oladele Obikoya, respectively and made available to the newsmen on Tuesday in Abakaliki.

They also frowned at the prolonged professional rivalry between NMA and other health workers under the aegis of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

According to AHAPN, the single-spine salary structure for practising health professionals in Nigeria would usher in permanent industrial harmony in the health sector.

They also urged the NMA to embrace modern medicine and to jettison ‘medieval’ era practice

The statement read: “The NMA is challenging the position of JOHESU on residency training programme for its members and creation of consultant pharmacist cadre.

“NMA alleges that the demand for the implementation of the pharmacist consultant cadre is a breach of the ruling of the National Industrial Court which places the authority of such creation in the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH).

“The association in debunking NMA’s false claims set the records straight with supporting documents from the FG and also stated the existence of the pharmacist consultant cadre in the public service of countries like UK, USA, France, Australia and neighbouring Ghana.

“The NMA’s opposition is contained in a letter to Dr Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, dated Sept. 7, 2021 and jointly signed by the President, Prof. Innocent Ujah, and General Secretary, Dr Phillips Ekpe.”

They further added that the NMA had contended the positions of JOHESU, claiming that the association was not aware of any residency training programme in teaching hospitals, specialist hospitals and federal medical centres.

“The NMA should understand that orthodox healthcare practice is not indigenous to Nigeria.

The group canvassed for parity in determining hazard allowance of all health professionals in the ongoing negotiation with FG.

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