By Doris Obinna
Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) has expressed their displeasure over lack of implementation of consultant pharmacists and harmonisation of call duty allowances for pharmacists with doctors and pharmacy degrees.
In a letter addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, signed by the National Chairman, Olabode Ogunjemiyo, AHAPN, disclosed that the circulars; pharmacists consultant cadre, call duty allowance for Pharm D holders and other related allowances for pharmacists are yet to be implemented.
AHAPN, a technical arm of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), is an umbrella body of Pharmacists practicing the profession of Pharmacy in the Hospital, Regulatory and Administrative sectors in Nigeria.
The letter reads in parts: “We bring you warm greetings from the generality of the members of Association. We would like to appreciate your efforts since assumption of office for the good works you are doing in the area of health workers welfare and harmony in the health sector.
“We are particularly happy about your efforts in ensuring that the consultant pharmacist cadre and harmonization of call duty allowance for pharmacists with the doctor of pharmacy degree becomes a reality.
“However, I wish to bring to your notice that the circulars as outlined below are yet to be implemented; Pharmacists Consultant Cadre; the circular from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with reference number C5516/Vol.11/289 and dated September 14, 2023. The circular expressly directed the immediate implementation of the pharmacist consultant cadre on CONHESS 13-15.
“In a related development, a circular from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with reference number DHS/1039/1/55 and dated October 10, 2023 requesting for issuance of approved establishment positions for Consultant Pharmacist Cadre in Federal Tertiary Institutions by the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSOF). The circular requested the release of approved establishment positions for each of the Federal Tertiary Institution for compliance and seamless operationalization of the circular.
“Four per cent call duty allowance for Pharm D holders; the circular from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with reference number DHS/419/S.2/T/74 and dated October 19, 2023. The circular directed the harmonization of call duty allowance and other related allowances for pharmacists with doctor of pharmacy degree with that of doctor of optometry.
“Creation of the four per cent call duty allowance on the IPPIS platform for pharmacists like those of their optometrists counterparts for ease of access by the various FHIs for the payment of Pharm D holders. This is what has prevented pharmacists from enjoying the remunerations since approval was given.”
While it appreciate the roles played by the permanent secretary to ensure that no profession is shortchanged in the health sector, the association prays that the OHCSOF release the establishment positions for the various FCT health insurance scheme (FHIs) for the conversion of relevant officers as stipulated in the relevant circulars.
“It should also direct the creation of the specialist allowance on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) platform for access as well as creation of the four per cent call duty allowance on the IPPIS platform for Pharmacists,” it added.