FG To Privatise 6 Public Hospitals

The federal government says it has selected six public hospitals that it wants to cue into its public-private partnership (PPP) programme.

The minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu stated this yesterday when a delegation of the General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria and the Guild of Medical Directors visited him in Abuja.

He said, “For now, the government has mapped six hospitals where it wants to do PPP, so we want to encourage you to key into this.”

Chukwu said that there are areas where the government would continue to provide services in the hospitals but hopes that the private sector would key into it. ‘Now more than ever, the federal government’s policies are encouraging private sector investment.

The minister used the occasion to appreciate all medical personnel working in the private sector saying, ‘We want to appreciate you for insuring the health of Nigerians ever since the doctors in public hospitals have being on strike.”

He said that hopefully, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) will call-off their strike soon.

‘We mourn all Nigerians who have lost their lives to Ebola Virus Disease and indeed, one of your own, Dr Stella Adadevoh. Her bravery and courage will not go unnoticed. Very soon, I can assure you, the appropriate thing will be done to immortalise her memory,” the minister said.

Responding, the national president of Association of General and Private Practitioners, Dr Frank Odafen said, “The only problem we have had is that government policies have not really embraced private practitioners.”

Odafen said the government has not equipped them in the current fight against Ebola Virus Disease in terms of ‘armoury of war’.

Communique Issued at the End of the Meeting of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) at the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) Secretariat at No.12, Aba Close, Garki Abuja on 12th and 13th August 2014

Following the JOHESU/AHPA meeting with his excellency, the secretary to the government of the federation, senator anyim pius anyim, GCON, Honourable minister of labour and Productivity, Honourable Minister of state for health, chairman salaries, income and wages commission, permanent secretary, federal ministry of health, representative of the head of the civil service of the federation and other top government functionaries on 12th august, 2014, the JOHESU and AHPA held its meeting at MHWUN secretariat on 12th ad 13th august 2014 to extensively review the meeting with the government on the lingering and other issues between government and JOHESU and resolved as follows"

STATE OF THE NATION
A) EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE OUTBREAK
JOHESU observed the outbreak of ebola virus disease through patrick sawyer an american liberian. JOHESU commends the governemtn for the efforts put up so far to curtail the spread of the disease. however, JOHESU Observed that a lot still needed to be done in protecting the citizens especially the health workers.


JOHESU commensurate with the family of one of us (NURSE) who died in active service as a result of the ebola infection. We urge the government to adequately compensate the family of the deceased and make adequate provision for the protection of other health workers. The incident has further shown that members of JOHESU are more prone to hazards on the job. The death of the nursr also proves that a patient does not necessarily go to the hospital to see medical practitioner but to get treated.

B) NMA STRIKE
While not grudging the NMA Demands, we want to point out that the strike embarked upon by NMA is illegal. JOHESU noted with dismay that the injuction restraining the medical and dental consultants association from embarking on strike was not obeyed as it claims that their members are also NMA members. JOHESU Calls on NMA to observe the rule of law and call off the strike in the interest of the patients and the national emergency situation in the country.

2) LOPSIDEDNESS AND UNLAWFUL CONSTITUTION OF BOARDS OF MANAGEMENT OF VARIOUS TERTIARY HEALTH INSTITUTIONS
JOHESU/ AHPA noted that the lopsidedness in the constitution of the boards of various managements of tertiary health institutioins still exists. however, the appointment of NASU representative on the board of the federal medical center, owo and NANNM representative at FMC Jalingo and university of abuja teaching hospital gwagwalad was commendable. The JOHESU Requested that subsequent vacancies in the various boards should be filled by her nominees whose names are already submitted by the unions in JOHESU. Our union branches are to put JOHESU on notice whenever vacancies exists on the boards of various institutions.

3) UPWARD REVIEW OF RETIREMENT AGE FROM 60 TO 65 YEARS
Arising from the meeting, it was confirmed that the onosode white paper on retirement age has been authenticated by the secretary to the government of the federation and has been transmitted to the head o f the civil service of the federation for the use of the 12 man committee on national council on establishment for the conclusion of the assignment. it was therefore agreed that relevent circular on the subject matter be issued on or before the end of august 2014

4) CIRCULAR ON CONSULTANCY STATUS FOR OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
It was reemphasised at the meeting that government has not reneged on the agreement with JOHESU on the circular issued on this matter on the 16th of May 2014. However, the recent circular of 18th july 2014 signed by the honourable minister of state for health is of no effect as it contradictss itself and the 22nd july 2013 NICN pronouncement on this issue.

the government has agreed that the section 1 (iv) of the circular reference number: FH/PM/138/VOL 111/85 of 18th july 2014 would be expunged because it runs contrary to the NICN Judgement of 22nd july 2013. furthermore, JOHESU Frowned at the practise of the minister of state for health issuing and signing of circuars which is a usurpation of the right of the office of the head of civil service or permanent secretary, federal ministry of health as appropriate.

5) ABOLITION OF THE POST OF DEPUTY CHAIRMAN MEDICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DCMAC)
JOHESU observed that the circular reference number HMH/ABJ/155/Viii/348 issued by the federal ministry of health on 14th july 2014 validating the continued appointment of DCMAC which earlier had been abolished. JOHESU Vehemently condemned its reintroduction and insisted that the position earlier agreed on should be sustained because the post is unlawful and an unestablished positon in the scheme of service, a shortcut to give advantage to university lecturers who are part time staff over the permanent staff of the hospitals, wast of scarce resources and meant to prevent the JOHESU members from attaining the position of directors as provided for in the schemes of service. Governemnt appealed to allow it to stay pending the outcome of yayale Ahmed Presidential committee.

6) CIRCULARIZATION OF PROPER PLACEMENT OF INTERN MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST ON CONHESS 8 STEP 2
Government has issued the circular placing medical laboratory scientist interns on CONHESS 8 STEP 2 as appropriate. However, JOHESU observed that there was no mention of post NYSC placement in the circular. Government agreed to include it as obtainable for other professions such as physiotherapy, pharmacy and radiography.

7) ADJUSTMENT OF SALARIES/ ALLOWNACES IN LINE WITH THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT OF 2009 AS IT WAS DONE FOR NMA IN THE SAME SECTOR IN JANUARY 2014
JOHESU was informed that there was a need to formaly inaugurate the committee to validate and do the needful on the financial implications of the adjustments and to capture it in the 2015 budget. The inauguration of the committee to be chaired by the ministry of finance will take place on 25th august 2014. The JOHESU considered this on the condition that the implementation of the circular issued for NMA in january 2014 on salary adjustment should also be deferred till 2015. Otherwise both groups should be treated equally without discrimination.

8) PAYMENT OF ARREARS OF SKIPPING OF CONHESS 10
The governemtn stressed the fact that there was paucity of fund, coupled with the national emergency situation that the country is going through. More importantly, there was no provison for it in 2014 budget. the JOHESU was not happy about this development and warned that the all or none law should be applied on this matter (i.e recent arrears on the adjustment of CONMESS which was approved in january 2014 should not be paid leaving that of CONHESS 10 skipping which has been lingering since 2011)

9) PROMOTION OF OFFICERS FROM CONHESS 14 TO 15 AS DIRECTORS
The meeting was alarmed when it saw the list of JOHESU Members who were deprived of their promotion ranging from 10 to 15 years in their various institutions. It was therefore decided that such officers be promoted without further delay while the defaulting institutions should be sanctioned by the government. The branches of our unions should endeavour to submit the list of stagnated members to JOHESU for onward delivery to the federal ministry of health for appropriate action.

10) ISSUES BEFORE YAYALE AHMED PRESIDENTIAL COMMITTEE
1) Appointment of CMDs/MDs of teaching hospitals in accordance with the extant laws and the need to give consideration to permanent staff of the hospital rather than the university based personnel

2) Advertorial for appointment of CMDs/ MDs should no longer be skewed in favour of one professional group but made open to all competent and qualified health professionals

The decision of govrnment to allow the current situation of appointmet to continue is unacceptable by JOHESU in the senst that the law which provided for medically qualified person to be appointed CMD does not approve the position solely for medical practioners. Pending the conclusion of yayale ahmed presidential committee, JOHESU members who are qualified should be equally considered.

11) APPROVAL OF RESIDENCY PROGRAM FOR OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
JOHESU noticed that in 2010 Abdullahi Bello Presidentail panel was established to look into the disharmony in the health sector. One of its recommendations was that residency program should be established for other healthcare professionals as applicable to the medical and dental practitioner counterparts. up till now, nothing has been done. JOHESU therefore demands that residency training program should be estalished for her clinical professional members without further delay.

12) ULTIMATUM:
JOHESU Expects the governemnt to issue all the necessary circulars (upward review of retirement age from 60 to 65 years, modification of circular on consultancy for other health professionals dated 18th july 2014, circularization of proper placemnt of intern medical laboratory scientists on CONHESS 8 STEP 2) on or before 29th august 2014 to avert any industrial action

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Government suspends Residency program in Nigeria.

Sawyer: Lagos matron shows Ebola symptoms

There was gloom at the secretariat of the Nigerian Medical Association,Lagos State chapter when the association’s Chairman, Dr. Tope Ojo, disclosed that the matron of the hospital where the Liberian-born American, Patrick Sawyer, was admitted for treatment was showing symptoms of Ebola virus.

The matron is one of the health workers at the Obalende, Lagos hospital who attended to Sawyer before he died of the disease (Ebola) on July 25..

A female medical doctor, who also participated in managing the Liberian- American was confirmed on Monday by the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, to have contracted the deadly virus.

Apart from the female medical doctor and the matron, six other people suspected to have been infected with the virus are being quarantined at the IDH, Yaba.

Ojo, who added that 30 striking doctors had volunteered to attend to the medical needs of all those with Ebola-related case, stated that the female medical doctor was stable.

He said, “We know that the infected doctor is stable, however, the matron is showing symptoms too. But everybody, including the experts from the World Health Organisation, are doing all they can.

“Strike or no strike, we must respond to emergencies. Our doctors are at the Yaba hospital where isolated contacts are being monitored.”

Ojo however said the NMA was having a challenge getting volunteers to be part of the Ebola Case Management Committee because of the fear of contracting the virus.

The NMA chairman said, “There are seven committees working on the management of the disease at the centre in Lagos which our members are part of.

“ But the committee which we are having a challenge getting volunteers is that of case management. This committee comprises people that work directly with confirmed cases.

“Our doctors are worried about the danger it(Ebola virus) poses to their lives and they need to be reassured.

“We understand their fears and we are making moves to confirm the level of preparedness of the government for doctors.”

He stressed the need for the government to put adequate measures in place to assure health workers of their safety in stemming the virus.

“ Look at the protective measures that doctors in Liberia and Guinea wear. They are well protected, yet some of them still caught it,” Ojo said.

A doctor in one of the committees, Dr. Babajide Saheed, said they were working closely with WHO and other stakeholders to contain the spread of the virus.

Saheed said,” Not all doctors can attend to an Ebola patient. In fact, you must limit the number of health workers treating affected persons just to contain the risk.

“We will be escalating the situation if doctors rush to the Mainland hospital to attend to patients.”

A top official of the IDH said the Lagos State Government should designate one of its hospitals to accommodate more persons that might be isolated for monitoring.

“The mainland hospital may not be enough if we are to isolate more persons who had contact with Sawyer and those who have had direct contact with those people too,” he added.

He said that “ instead of using a ward in an hospital, it is better to just designate a whole hospital and evacuate patients from it.”

The Bloomberg Businessweek reported on Tuesday that Nigeria was considering applying for a dose of the experimental Ebola therapy to treat the Lagos female doctor.

“We will exploit the possibility of getting some (ZMapp Experimental Drug),” the Lagos State Health Commissioner, Jide Idris, said.

The San Diego, United States-based Mapp Biopharmaceutical Inc.’s experimental ZMapp drug had only been tested on infected animals before it was given to Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol, the two U S health workers who were infected with the virus in Liberia.

‎Nigeria doctors commence ‘total and indefinite’ strike, Tuesday – NMA President

The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, on Monday announced plan to embark on an indefinite strike, starting from Tuesday, July 1.

The NMA President, Kayode Obembe, who made the announcement at a news conference in Abuja, said the decision followed the expiration of a two-week ultimatum it gave the Federal Governmentto meet its 24-point demand.Mr. Obembe, said the association opted for a “total and indefinite strike” at an emergency delegates meeting held on June 28, after negotiations with the federal government failed to yield relevant results.

“The NMA is taking this painful route because our silence and gentle approach to these contending issues have been taken for granted,” he said.


“We have to take this action in order to save the health care delivery system from anarchy that is palpably imminent.”

He appealed for understanding, and called on Nigerians to prevail on the government to meet the demands.

The NMA president read out an open letter addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in which the association listed the 24 ssues it wanted the government to address.

The letter, entitled, “Minimum End Point for Restoration of Sustainable Sanity in Patient Care in Nigerian Hospitals’’, was jointly signed by Mr. Obembe, NMA Secretary-General, Adewumi Alayaki,and all heads of its affiliate bodies.

Some of the major issues include reserving the position of chief medical director to only medical doctors, appointment of Surgeon General of the Federation, passage of National Health Bill and providing security for doctors.


The NMA also wants “increase in duty, hazard and specialist allowances, as well as budget for residency training programme”.

It called for the reintegration of its members into the IPPIS platform, and reserving the title of consultants to only medical doctors, among others.(NAN)

Source: Premium Times

NMA PRESS RELEASE.

OPEN LETTER TO THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION

Senator Anyim Pius Anyim
Secretary to the Government of the Federation
Shehu Shagari Complex
Three Arms Zone
Abuja.

Your Excellency,

FACING THE CHALLENGES IN THE HEALTH SECTOR.RESOLUTIONS OF THE NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (NMA) NATIONAL OFFICERS COMMITTEE (NOC) MEETING HELD ON THE 10TH OF JUNE, 2014 AT THE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT AND SUBMITTED TO THE OFFICE OF THESECRETARY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION WEDNESDAY 11TH JUNE 2014.

1.The post of Deputy Chairman Medical Advisory Committee (DCMAC) has been circularized and operational. Rather than abolish it, the NMA hereby demands that four (4) DCMACs for teaching hospitals and three (3) for the Federal Medical Centres beappointed forthwith to assist the CMACs whose statutory responsibilities are too heavy for any single individual to handle. Directors in other government agencies are supported by several Deputy Directors, why not the CMAC who is also a Director? Such a DCMAC must have same qualifications as the CMAC.

2.The NMA is opposed to the appointment of Directors in the Hospitals. This Position distorts thechain of command in the hospital, induces anarchy and exposes the patient to conflicting treatment and management directives with attendant negative consequences.

3.The NMA demands that grade level 12 (CONMESS 2) in the health sector MUST be SKIPPED for medical doctors. Consequently no medical/dental practitioners should be on that grade level anymore.

4.The title CONSULTANT in a hospital setting describes the relationship between the Specialist Medical Doctor and his patient. It will be a source of confusion if the title is applied to any other health worker who statutorily does not own patient. NMA therefore declares with unmitigated emphasis that if non-doctor consultants are appointed, it will lead to chaosand anarchy in the health sector. This should not happen.

5.Relativity in health sector is sacrosanct. The NMA hereby demands for immediate implementation of the January 3rd, 2014 circular. The NMA also demands the immediate payment of the arrears of the corrected relativity for 22 years during whichher members were short changed.Much as we are not against salary increase for any category of workers, either in health or elsewhere, the NMA demands for immediate adjustment of the doctors salary to maintain the relativity as agreed and documented once CONHESS is adjusted.

6.That Government should expedite the passage of the National Health Bill (NHB), and extend Universal Health Coverage to cover 100% of Nigerians and not 30% as currently prescribed byNational Health Insurance Scheme(NHIS).

7.Surgeon General of the Federation MUST be appointed with immediate effect.


8.The entry point of the House Officer should be corrected to CONMESS 1 step 4 as originally contained in MSS/MSSS while the Registrar/Medical Officer is moved to CONMESS 3 step 3.

9.Clinical duty allowance for Honorary Consultants should be increased by 90% of CONMESS

10.Adjust the specialist allowance as contained in the 2009 collective bargaining agreement. Additionally, ALL doctors on CONMESS 3 and above MUST be paid specialist allowance or its equivalent that is not less than 50% higher than what is paid to other health workers.

11.Hazard allowance MUST be at least N100, 000 per month for Medical Doctors.

12.Immediate release of the circular on rural posting, teaching and other allowances which MUST include house officers.

13.Immediate withdrawal of the CBN circular authorizing the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) to approve licenses for the importation of In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVDs).

14.Immediate Release of Circular on retirement age for Medical Doctors as agreed with the FederalGovernment (FG)

15.The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Health should formalise and implement the report of the interagency committee on residency training as well as release the uniform template on appointment of Resident Doctors in line with earlier agreements. Moreover, a concrete Funding framework for residency training must be established. The Overseas clinical attachment must be fully restored and properly funded in the interest of the nation.

16.That in the interest of harmony in Federal Medical Centre, Owerri the government should pay the salaries of our members in the centre as agreed on 21st October, 2013.


17.Immediate concrete steps must be put in place for the reintegration of our members back into the IPPIS platform.

18.All attempts to coerce house officers not to join NARD must stop.

19.The orchestrated intimidation, harassment and physical assault of our members in departments ofPathology (Laboratory Medicine) by Laboratory Scientists which is being tolerated by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) must stop.

20.The Endless circle of incomplete salary payment to our members in many hospitals in the name of shortfalls in personnel cost must stop.

21.Universal applicability of all establishment circulars on the remuneration and conditions of service for doctors at all levels of Government must be guaranteed.

22.Government should as a matter of urgency set up a health trust fund that will enhance the upgrading of all hospitals in Nigeria.

23.The position of Chief Medical Director/Medical Director must continue to be occupied by a Medical Doctor as contained in the Act establishing the tertiary Hospitals. This position remains sacrosanct and untouchable.

WHY DID THEY NOT ASK THAT THE POST OF VICE CHANCELLOR BE OPEN TO EVERYONE IN THE UNIVERSITY SINCE ASUU AND SANU ARE MADE UP OF GRADUATES

CAN YOU BE A JUDGE OF THE HIGH COURT OR COURT OF APPEAL IF YOU ARE NOT A LAWYER? WHY DO THEY THINK THE HOSPITALS WHERE LIVES ARE SAVED EVERYDAY SHOULD SACRIFICE THE ESTABLISHED LEADERSHIP I.E. CHIEF MEDICAL DIRECTOR?


24.The NMA henceforth shall not accept the continued violation of any of the terms of the 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement. This is exemplified by the payment of Medical Physicists and Optometrists with OD (who are on CONHESS) call duty allowance using the CONMESS Circular. Similarly, the phrase Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) in the said agreement should replace Federal Ministry of Health and other Federal Health Institutions as contained in the2009 CONMESS Circular.


In the light of the fore-going therefore, the NMA hereby gives government 14 days to meet all her demands as stated above or have her members called out for a resumption of the TOTAL and INDEFINITE withdrawal of service suspended on 5th January 2014.

The NMA is taking this painful route because our silence and gentle approach to these contending issues have been taken for granted.

We have to take this action in order to save the health care delivery system from anarchy that is palpably imminent.We hereby appeal to all Nigerians for their understanding and to press on Government to meet with our demands to avoid the STRIKE which is scheduled to start on the 1st of July 2014 from 00.10 hours GMT.

DR. Kayode OBEMBEDR.

Source: Secret Reporters.

NMA Advocates Health Centre for Lassa Fever Patients

The Federal Government has been called to establish health centres and facilities where Lasa fever patients could be treated and managed.Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) South East zonal caucus made the appeal during its emergency meeting in Owerri where the association discussed what it called issues of urgent National Importance.

Briefing newsmen, the chairman of the South East zone of NMA, Dr. Emeka Obiora, disclosed that there had been an outbreak of Lasa Fever in the zone, especially in Ebonyi State, and decried the non-availability of medical facilities to handle the deadly disease.

Obiora pointed out that victims of Lasa Fever in the zone could only receive best treatment in Erua Edo State or Lagos State, lamenting that in the process of transferring such patients the possibility of contacting the disease becomes very high.

He also lamented that as a result of lack of diagnostic facilities in the zone, medical personnel are put at the risk of contacting the disease easily, explaining that the meeting in Owerri was meant to enlighten the people about the way to handle the situation.

Source: Independent

JOHESU issues 15-day ultimatum, threatens suit against doctors

A coalition of workers in the health sector have threatened nationwide strike if government does not begin implementing over the next 15 days agreements both sides reached on worker welfare and conditions of service.

Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), an umbrella for four different unions of healthworkers, also threatened legal action against Nigerian Medical Association if doctors go on strike over labour issues.

JOHESU insists the doctors association is not a registered union and has questioned its authority to strike or negotiate salaries with government.

The agreement between JOHESU and government was reached and signed in May 2012, including reconstitution of boards of health institutions, staff promotion from levels 14 to 15 on the consolidated health salary scale for directors, and review of retirement age from 60 to 65 years.

The union says government is yet to implement the report of a job evaluation ordered in 2008 and a separate report on harmony in the health sector presented by a presidential committee headed by Abdullahi Bello.

At a press briefing in Abuja, JOHESU president Ayuba Wabba said, “We had negotiated desirable adjustment to the 2009 CONHESS salary table and allowances as was done for the NMA in January 2014.

Ironically, government reneged because of the threat by the NMA.

”In comments delivered by Felix Faniran, president of Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals called government action “provocative, insulting and unjust in the worst dimension.”JOHESU accused NMA of repeatedly flouting judicial pronouncements about its lack of right to strike.

“It has refused to comply with this law. But if they continue, we will be forced to take them to court,” the union said.

Source: DailyTrust

NIGERIA NATIONAL HEALTH BILL OF WAHALA.

    I woke up on the 18^th of May, this year to learn that there was an ongoing protest at the nation National Assembly by market women over the delay in the passage of the National Health Bill. In a country where the average life expectancy is estimated to be around 48 years, maternal mortality rate of  about 52,000 i.e a woman dies every 10minutes due to pregnancy and child related cause and annual no of under-5 death of 794 per 1,000. I felt happy that women in the country could take such a bold step to fast track the passage of such law that will have impact on the health of their fellow citizens. Curiously, the Senate  horridly passed the bill which has been in its custody since 2008 in less than 24 hours of protest.

   No sooner had the bill was passed by the house than hell was let loose- the Assembly of  Health care Professionals associations and unions  comprising of Nurses, Laboratory scientists  among others staged a peaceful protest against the bill urging President Jonathan  to withhold his assent to the bill. They claimed the bill gave undue power and preferences to the medical doctors. To them, the bill usurp the power of various professional regulatory agencies and accused the ministry of health of working in connivance with the medical doctors to change some important provisions included in the draft bill in favour of doctors.

   According to the bill, the Nigerian National Health Council will be the all-in all as stated in section 1 subsection 1 which states;

There is hereby established for the federation the National Health System which shall DEFINE and PROVIDE a framework for standards and regulation of health services which shall-

a.       Encompass public and private providers of health services.

b.      Promote a spirit of co-operation and shared responsibility among all providers of health services in the federation and any part thereof

c.       Provide for person living in Nigeria the best possible health services within the limits of available resources.

d.      Set out the RIGHTS and DUTIES of health care providers, HEALTH WORKERS and health establishment and users and

e.      Protect, promote and fulfill the rights of the people of Nigeria to have access to healthcare.

By this section, the ALPHA and OMEGA of healthcare delivery in the country is NHS which will coordinate the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, MDCN, and other professional regulatory agencies. The composition of the NHS according to subsection 2 of section 1 are

a.       The federal ministry of health.

b.      The state ministries of health in every state and the federal capital territory.

c.       Parastatals under the federal and state ministries of health.

d.      All local government health authorities.

e.      The ward health committees.

f.        The village health committees.

g.       The private healthcare providers and

h.      Traditional and alternative healthcare providers.

  It was argued considerably that all the offices above are occupied by medical doctors in form of Minister for health, commissioner for health, among others . As expected, the NMA which is the political mouthpiece of medical doctors  criticized the protest, calling on President Jonathan to sign the bill without recourse to the issues raised by other professionals. The State minister of health Dr Muhamad Ali Pate has vowed to ensure that the president signs this into law as soon as possible.

    With all these arguments and counter arguments on the health bill, It seems the stage is now set for a major scuffle between medical doctors on one hand and the other health professionals in the health team as they have threatened to embark on  nationwide industrial action should the president append his signature to the bill. It is quite unfortunate that the bill that was supposed to bring succor to the citizens is polarizing the health sector and if not resolved urgently will in no doubt worsen the  health situation in the country as when two elephants fight, the grass suffers.

By Idowu Olabode [RN]

Nigeria.

E-mail: born2lead01@yahoo.com