The Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) has called on the Federal Government to develop a uniform salary structure for healthcare practitioners. Tribune Online reports that the association made the call in a statement. Their National Chairman, Mr Olabode Ogunjemiyo and Mr. Oladele Obikoya, the National Secretary signed the statement.
They explained that a uniform salary structure for the healthcare practitioners in Nigeria would pave the way for industrial harmony among the health sector. In the statement, they also cited a prescribed salary relativity ratio of 10 is to 8.57 is to 7.12 between medical doctors and pharmacists/other health professionals and others respectively.
They also called out the NMA for allegedly describing some of the demands of JOSESU as inappropriate and prone to violating the existing agreement between the NMA and the Federal Government. They (NMA) allegedly claimed that violating the agreement could throw the health sector into labor unrest. AHAPN expressed their displeasure with the professional rivalry between the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and other healthcare workers under the aegis of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
In their statement, they mentioned that the NMA was challenging the position of JOHESU on the residency training program for its members. The NMA alleged that demanding 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 said they were debunking the false claims by the NMA. They sought to set the records straight by showing supporting documents from the Federal Government. They also mentioned the existence of the pharmacist consultant cadre in the public service of countries such as the USA, France, Australia, Ghana, and the UK.
“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.” The statement read.
They reminded the NMA that different professions existed to serve different human needs and there were new ones emerging to respond to the activities of human existence.
“Besides, NMA should note that professions exist to serve humanity and new ones are emerging in response to the activities of human existence.
“Everyone cannot belong to a single profession; it is appropriate to state that the bottom line of all care efforts in the patient care chain is to treat the patient to get healed from ailment.
