Health Ministry Faces Backlash From JOHESU Over Consultant Pharmacist Cadre Issues
... Warns of Measures Due to Non-Adherence in Federal Health Facilities
On Monday, the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) voiced significant concern over what they described as 'deliberate obstruction' and 'continuing threats' to the complete implementation of the Consultant Pharmacist position within federal health facilities.
The union particularly emphasized problems arising in Lagos State, appealing to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to tackle these issues swiftly to guarantee the smooth incorporation of this vital function into the healthcare framework.
In an official plea to the Minister of Health, JOHESU criticized the ongoing reluctance from certain healthcare professionals, notably the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
JOHESU claims that NMA reportedly refused to acknowledge the appointments of Consultant Pharmacists and supposedly gave ultimatums to CEOs of federal health institutions.
Comrade Martin Egbanubi, a senior JOHESU official, stated that the petition partially states, "We have significant concerns that even though explicit directives from the government and agreements made during top-tier mediation sessions have been issued, there continues to be an evident effort to obstruct the enforcement of the Consultant Pharmacist position."
JOHESU also warned that ongoing threats and violations would not be accepted.
"If the required actions are not implemented over the coming weeks, JOHESU will be left with no choice but to initiate suitable procedures to ensure adherence," the union stated.
JOHESU alerted the Federal Government that the Consultant Pharmacist Circular stood as one of the principal elements within the Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, which was agreed upon during the tripartite conciliation meeting conducted on October 29, 2024, at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
As stated in point two of the resolution from an ensuing session convened on December 20, 2024, the Federal Ministry for Health & Social Welfare has been instructed to implement penalties against federal health institutions not adhering to regulations starting March 31, 2025.
"It is alarming that even with this explicit instruction, certain CMDs and MDs continue to delay action, and more seriously, encounter intimidation from their professional organizations," the union said.
Specifically, JOHESU criticized a press statement issued by the Lagos chapter of NMA. The statement allegedly called for an immediate rollback of the appointment of Consultant Pharmacists at Lagos-based Federal Hospitals and warned of potential industrial actions against hospital CEOs who do not adhere to this demand.
JOHESU demanded an urgent imposition of sanctions on all Federal Health Institutions not adhering to the circular and threatened more severe measures if the Ministry does not take action within a few weeks.
The statement further states, "Honorable Minister, recall that among the primary items outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreed upon between the Federal Government and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) during their mediation meeting at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on October 29, 2024, were the enforcement of the Pharmacist Consultant Circular as well as instructions directed to the Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and Medical Directors (MDs)." Refer to Item 2 in Annexure I for details.
Indeed, the resolution from the conciliation meeting at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on December 20, 2024 explicitly stated in point 2 that the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare must impose penalties on non-compliant FHS starting March 31, 2025. This was intended to ensure adherence to the guidelines and directives concerning consultant pharmacists.
“Given this backdrop, Mr. Sir, JOHESU has raised concerns about the sluggish progress in implementation as well as the threats posed to its execution, particularly originating from the Lagos State Chapter of the NMA.”
JOHESU is especially concerned with the recent statement released by the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), which opposes the appointment of consultant pharmacists and has issued an ultimatum to CEOs of federal health institutions in Lagos State. The NMA directive demands these appointments be revoked immediately; otherwise, industrial action will follow.
Prompt execution of point two from the Resolution of the Mediation Meeting at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment convened on December 20, 2024. This resolution specifically mandates that as of March 31, 2025, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare must impose penalties on federal health institutions not adhering to regulations regarding consultant pharmacists.
The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has cautioned that if the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare does not take the required actions to resolve this issue within the coming several weeks, JOHESU will have no choice but to implement measures to ensure adherence.
We kindly implore the Federal Ministry of Health to take definitive action," the union cautioned. "Failing to enforce penalties will merely encourage those opposed to reform.
They further committed themselves to upholding the rights of every healthcare provider within the JOHESU coalition, encompassing groups such as: the Medical & Health Workers' Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes, and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAII), the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).
The Union alerted the government regarding outstanding unmet requirements concerning healthcare welfare.
The statement says, "Implementation of a Consultant Cadre for Pharmacists in Federal Health Institutions."
Even though the National Council on Establishment (NCE) has sanctioned the establishment of this role and directed Chief Medical Directors/Medical Directors (CMDs/MDs) to start appointing Consultant Pharmacists, it was found that among 73 federal health institutions, only 7 have adhered to the instruction.
Therefore, it was decided that the Honorable Minister of Health and Social Welfare would draft a strongly-worded letter to the CMDs/MDs who have yet to comply, urging them to implement the instructions as outlined in the circular.
Elevation of Retirement Age From 60 to 65 Years for Health Reasons
Employees and 70 years for Consultants.
It was agreed that the Honorable Minister of Health and Social Welfare should put more pressure by re-presenting the issue to the President through the Federal Executive Council (FEC) as a matter of National interest and as a strategy to address the problem of brain drain in the Health Sector before the end of the year 2024.
Payment of outstanding salaries for JOHESU members in the health sector
Professional Regulatory Council/Agencies.
JOHESU called for the immediate disbursement of wages and benefits for personnel working at Regulatory Agencies along with the prompt reinstatement of funds allocated to Environmental Health Regulation.
Council. The parties concurred that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment should send a letter to the Federal Ministry of Finance requesting the disbursement of funds to cover payments for all 14 regulatory agencies.
Review of CONHESS Payment for Outstanding Amount
Even though JOHESU requested the prompt payment of 25 percent of the CONHESS review dues from June to December 2023, it was decided that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment would draft a letter to the Federal Ministry of Finance asking them to allocate funds for paying off these outstanding CONHESS reviews immediately.
Exemption from Taxes on Health Care Worker Benefits
It was decided that discussions on this matter should be temporarily halted to allow for additional consultations.
Immediate payment of Covid-19 inducement Hazard allowance
While JOHESU stated that no clear steps were taken to ensure the disbursement of this allowance, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) mentioned that they had compiled a list of individuals who hadn’t received their payments and sent it to the Federation’s Budget Office.
It was decided that the Federal Ministry of Health would resubmit the list of unpaid COVID-19 inducement allowances for payment to the PPIS via the Accountant General of the Federation.
The following measure involves the immediate suspension of the proposed formation and operations of the National Health Facility Regulatory Agency (NHFRA) by the Federal Ministry of Health.
JOHESU maintained that the establishment of the Agency must be postponed as it conflicts with the stipulations of both the National Health Act 2014 and the Constitution of 1999. The decision was made for the Federal Ministry of Health to halt all additional actions until the Committee on NHFRA has been reconvened to encompass the multi-disciplinary character inherent to the health sector.
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