Stop preferential treatment of doctors, PSN urges government

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has urged government to stop preferential treatment of doctors in the health sector to ensure full implementation of the universal health coverage in Nigeria.

Dr Taiwo Babalola, the PSN Chairman in Ondo State, made the appeal on Wednesday in Akure during a news conference to commemorate the 2024 Pharmacists’ Week.

According to Babalola, government must carry along all professionals in the health sector to ensure effective collaboration and synergy among health workers.

“A father, the government, promoting one child over the others and using others as hirelings. There is no way you can meet the universal need of health coverage with that process.

“Just few days ago, the Ondo State Government made Grade Level (GL) 13 as entry point for doctors in the state, while pharmacists entry point is GL 10.

“It means that a young doctor coming into civil service will earn more than a GL 16 pharmacist, who has worked for over 30 years. Is that fairness? It is a chasm.

“It kills the morale of those in the health sector. The doctors cannot do it alone. In developed countries, they harness their resources, they put skilled personnel together.

“Also in this state, the constitution of board of hospital management, many professionals are not there. Who will speak for them?” he said.

He decried the high rate of migration by pharmacists in the state, and across the country, attributing it to unfairness and injustice in the sector.

“We are trained as a people to serve humanity. Other professionals, they out-twist the government. We don’t do it. They know how to use the strike actions.

“Instead of strike, we go our own way honourably. That is why you see a lot of us travelling out of the state or country because we are easily acceptable in any sane land.

“The pharmaceutical sector in America dictates the economy of the country. We are rated very high there and in Europe,” he said.

According to Babalola, the government should provide health tax fund to develop pharmacies in the country because there is no proper benchmarking in the health sector.

“Collaboration is what happens in the developed world. If we don’t benchmark, one will feel superior. The government needs to support pharmacists with funds in training and research.

“We are not only responsible for dispensing medications, but we are trained and knowledgeable in drug research and development, manufacturing and compounding,” he stated.

He said that the special week would afford pharmacists in the state the opportunity to fashion out new innovations, while pharmacists would continue to support the government in providing good healthcare services.