• Want residency programme for other health workers 

PHARMACISTS under the aegis of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) have commended the Federal Government over its efforts to control the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) even as they called for total re-organization of the residency programme for doctors.  

President PSN, Olumide Akintayo, in a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan dated August 21, 2014 and titled “Re-organization of residency programmes for health professionals in federal health institutions” said there is a need for residency programmes in Pharmacy, Laboratory Science, Nursing, Radiography, Physiotherapy and others to address the myriad of complexities that are emerging in public health.

The pharmacists appealed that specific directives are given to the Federal Ministry of Health to create the platform of a representative committee of all health professionals, which would be led by the Permanent Secretary or other skilled administrator to guarantee an unbiased output in the best interest of consumers of health in Nigeria.

The Letter reads: “… The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria finds it necessary to commend the Federal Government for its laudable efforts to contain the spread of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) through proactive measures anchored by the Federal Ministry of Health. It is impressive that the output of the Federal Government is yielding dividends as fatality rate in Nigeria is about 50 per cent compared to a global average of 90 per cent.

“In furtherance of the recent reforms initiated by Your Excellency with regards to the suspension of residency programme for doctors in Nigeria, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria canvasses a broad spectrum and total re-organization of the residency programmes such that it inculcates a new structure that is all encompassing to embrace all the various health professions in Nigeria.

“Specifically, there is a need for residency programmes in Pharmacy, Laboratory Science, Nursing, Radiography, Physiotherapy and others to address the myriad of complexities that are emerging in public health.

“Your Excellency, the World Health Organization and the World Health Professional Alliance (a body encompassing the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), World Medical Association (WMA), International Federation of Nurses and Mid-Wives and International Federation of Physiotherapists) continue to assert with boldness and responsibility that only collaborative efforts can boost healthcare delivery across the world. Nigeria as a major player in the global arena definitely has little or no choice than to key into this progressive vision.

“We strongly admonish that beneficiaries of the residency training at government expense from now on be made to sign bonds to work in Nigerian Federal Health Institutions for a specified period in addition to other commitments revolving around productivity.

“Your Excellency, in conclusion, we appeal that specific directives are given to the Federal Ministry of Health to create the platform of a representative committee of all health professionals which would be led by the Permanent Secretary or other skilled administrator to guarantee an unbiased output in the best interest of consumers of health in Nigeria.”