The Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Health Care Professionals have written to the Head of the civil service of the federation requesting a "clarification on adjustment of salary grade level as a result of enhanced entry point/ base grade in the public service and partial implementation of entry point for medical laboratory scientists"

 

The memo as obtained by jude chiedu of Medicalworld Nigeria was dated 1st february 2016 and drew the atention of the head of the civil service of the federation on the error entrenched in the circular on the above subject matter ref: HCSF/SPSO/ODD/E&WP/B.649183 dated 26th November, 2015 which re-introduced CONHESS 10 into the grading structure within Medical laboratory scientists and other similarly graded cadres such as pharmacists, physiotherapists, radiographers etc

 

According to the memo obtained by Medicalworld Nigeria, JOHESU/ AHCP noted that the re-introduction of CONHESS 10 is illegal and contrary to the National industrial court judgement of 22nd july 2013. It is also not in line with the cookey commission report of 1980 and onosode report of 1981 on the harmonization and remuneration in the public service and presidential commission on parastatals, where the resolution clearly stated that federal tertiary health institutions should enjoy similar conditions of service as their counterpart in the universities where the chief cadre is promoted to deputy director and finally to director.

 

It reads further "The above position removes the teaching hospitals from the core civil service. 

 

We therefore reject the proposal from the head of service on this issue and state that the career progression for medical laboratory scientists (MLS) and similar professionals should be adjusted as follows

i. MLS Intern/ NYSC ..... CONHESS 8 Step 2

ii. MLS 1...... CONHESS 9 Step 4

iii. Senior MLS.... CONHESS 11

IV. Principal MLS.... CONHESS 12

V. Chief MLS.... CONHESS 13

vi. Assist Director....CONHESS 14

vii. Director .... CONHESS 15

 

The entry point of MLS should be 09 step 4 as done for house officers on CONMESS 1 which is equivalent to CONHESS 09 Step 4 while the cadre of chief on 13 has been traditional since 1982

 

Further to this, only one of the positions of assistant director and Deputy director should be adopted for tertiary health institutions, for as long as the position of assitant director and deputy director stands, we shall continue to have confusion in the career nomenclature and indusrial problems.

 

We also appreciate the release of circular ref: HCSF/EIR/CND/S.100 dated 11th june 2015 on the Enhanced entry point for medical laboratory scientists and that of federal ministry of health ref. C. 5380/T/122 dated 30th september, 2015 adressed to all DGs, CMDs MDs

 

We have noted the arbitrary implementation of the circular by the MDs and CMDs of our institutions despite the circular issued by the FMOH.

 

It will however be expedient that a circular to guide these institutions emanates from your office for uniformity purpose and to maintain seniority and forestall overlap accordingly as done for other professionals in the past.

 

From the above, those on CONHESS 8 should move to CONHESS 9 and those on CONHESS 9 should move to CONHESS 11 while others follow suit.

 

We are aware that what some chief executives were doing are:

1. Moving those on CONHESS 8 to CONHESS 9 only.

2. Moving those on CONHESS 8 to CONHESS 9 while others above CONHESS 9 have thier steps adjused.

3. Others even refused claiming not to understand the circular among others.

 

This appeal has become necessary to forestall breakdown of industrial harmony nationwide and disruption of services in the health sector. Those who are previously seniors should not be allowed to staty on the same position and should be moved to the next grade as previously done for pharmacists and physiotherapists in the past.

 

It shall be highly appreciated if this observation is quickly addressed to douse tension among healthcare professionals in our varioius health institutions across the country.

 

Thanking you for your usual cooperation, please"