The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) have maintained their demands from the Federal government.
The leadership of the health workers has assured members of their unrelenting determination to pursue the full implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding by the Federal Government without further delay.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of JOHESU and AHPA meeting which was called to recieve the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako.
According to the communiqué, signed by Comrade (D) Kabiru Ado Minjibir, National Chairman and Comrade Martin Egbanubi, National Secretary: “JOHESU maintains its demands for full implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) on the 29th October, 2024 after a conciliation meeting at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
“The JOHESU National Leadership appreciates the understanding and maturity of members so far. The National Leadership assures members of its unrelenting determination to pursue the full implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding by the Federal Government without further delay.”
The health workers also called for “Immediate suspension of planned establishment and activities of National Health Facility Regulatory Agency (NHFRA) as being promoted by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
“JOHESU leadership demanded that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare needed to drop the NHFRA project which is capable of causing industrial disharmony and professional dispute.
“JOHESU leadership revealed that the FMoH&SW has continued to work on a proposed bill to actualise this agenda which is still championed by the immediate past Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr Tunji Alousa.”
As reiterated by JOHESU in a recent comprehensive Memo to the FMOH&SW, it took over one decade to have a National Health Act because non- physician health professionals rejected and still reject any attempt to create a central regulatory agency to monitor and control all health facilities irrespective of professional calling.
“JOHESU leadership cautioned the FMoH to be mindful of the October 24, 2024 MoU between it and the Federal Government as the spirit of the MoU forbade enactment of the NHFRA Bill. This attempt is also a violation of the relevant provision of the National Health Act, 2014 on the Establishment of the National Health System.
“Withdrawal of the unlawful Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
“JOHESU leadership encouraged the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare to utilize the expertise of the Legal Adviser of the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Justice to evaluate the provisions of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) Act 2022 and the PPA Cap. 535 LFN 1990 το have a full grasp on the health professionals who take responsibility for drug use management or procurement in its entirety in Nigeria. It is on the basis of this law that the license of Pharmacists in unambiguous terms clearly lists drug procurement as one of the professional responsibilities of Registered Pharmacists.
“JOHESU leadership insisted that pharmacists and other professionals registered under the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) Act 2022 must be allowed to take full responsibility of drug procurement and management at the tertiary. Secondary and primary healthcare levels.
“The MoU between the Federal Government and JOHESU on October 29, 2024 compelled a review of the unlawful DRF SOP within 6 weeks. JOHESU leadership noted with dissatisfaction that this review has not been activated to the best of its knowledge.
“JOHESU leadership therefore, urged the FMOH&SW to immediately withdraw the unlawful Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) which was released under the auspices of the Director Food and Drugs Services of the FMoH&SW in mid-2024.”
