Posted on: Thu 21-09-2023

RE: RESOLUTIONS REACHED AT THE SECOND FOLLOW UP MEETING ON THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING SIGNED AT THE END OF THE CONCILIATION MEETING BETWEEN THE RELEVANT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND THE LEADERSHIP OF THE JOINT HEALTH SECTOR UNIONS (JOHESU) AND ASSEMBLY OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS (AHPA) HELD ON 1ST SEPTEMBER, 2023 AT THE HONOURABLE MINISTER’S CONFERENCE ROOM

I write to refer to your letter Ref. No DHS/821/IIT/205 dated 15th August, 2023 on the above subject and provide further clarifications and guidance to the Ministry as requested.

2. Subject to the above request, you may wish to note the following:

i. The National Council on Establishments (NCE) at its 41st Meeting held in Asaba in 2019 validated an earlier approval of the Council for the creation of the Pharmacist Consultant Cadre structured on SGL.15 — 17 for Officers with B. Pharm and Part II Final examination of the West Africa Post-Graduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP).

ii. The approval of the NCE on the above was circularized through the Head of Service Circular No. HCSF/CSO/HRM/1274/T3 dated 11th September, 2020 (copy attached).

iii. The Pharmacist Consultant Cadre is distinct from the already-in-existence Pharmacist Cadre structured on SGL. 10 — 17 for holders of B. Pharm.

iv. Based on the request for clarification on the applicability of the Schemes of Service for the Pharmacist Consultant Cadre, the Office had clarified vide Letter No HCSF/SPSO/ODD/E&WP/64508/II/174 dated 9th June, 2021 (copy is attached herewith).

v. The clarification is clear as a transition from the Pharmacist Cadre to the Pharmacist Consultant Cadre which of course is superior, is by conversion in line with extant rules. In which case, Officers on the Pharmacy Cadre on SGL. 15 coverts laterally to the Pharmacist Consultant Cadre on SGL 15 on

acquisition of the requisite qualification, subject to availability of vacancy. In the same vein, Pharmacists on the lower SGL, on qualification, would be advanced to SGL.15.

vi. However, Officers on the Pharmacist Cadre above the entry grade level of the Consultant Pharmacist Cadre (SGL.15) should be stepped down by one grade level on conversion to the superior Cadre; subject to availability of vacancy.

vii. The issue of conversion from one cadre to another has always been subject to stepping down, on grades, minimum of one, as well as availability of vacancies across all Cadres and grade levels.

viii. Item (vii) above, is still extant as the qualifications, schedule of duties and scope of responsibilities are different.

3. Also, please recall that the FMoH had presented a memo to the NCE requesting for clarification on the implementation of the Pharmacist Consultant Cadre at the Council's 43rd Meeting held at Abuja in January, 2022. The NCE clarified that, the interpretation provided by the OHCSF on the subject, was right and should be complied with and this was conveyed to your Ministry.

4. Additionally, the OHCSF is the Secretariat of the NCE and the medium through which the decisions of the Council are transmitted for implementation in the Public Service It is in the discharge of this responsibility that the OHCSF issued the Circular on the creation of the Pharmacist Consultant Cadre and had provided the guideline/clarification for the application of the Circular in the Service. Thus, decisions of the NCE should therefore be implemented.

5. Please accept the assurances of the warm regards of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

Olufemi Michael Oloruntola

Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies Office

For: Head of the Civil Service of the Federation

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