PSN Writes Tinubu, Appeals for Equitable Appointments in Health Sector

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for fair distribution of appointments in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the health sector.

In a letter to Tinubu, the PSN expressed concerns that the lopsided appointment in favour of physicians was detrimental to other healthcare professions in the country.

PSN President, Ayuba Ibrahim Tanko in the document noted with concern that, “almost all the appointments in the health sector which is multidisciplinary in orientation and nature have gone to only one profession (Medicine).’’

He said the observation becomes very valid against the background of the specific mandate given the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Mohammed Pate after his appointment, which dwelt extensively in building and harmonising a sustainable healthcare workforce.

Ayuba said a random review of the appointments would confirm the observation of PSN. According to him, virtually all levels of appointment in the health sector are in favour of the physicians, even in such areas that would require non-medical professionals – this showcases the dilemma confronting other health professionals in the sector.

To buttress the discriminating pattern in the appointments, the PSN cited a few examples including the two Ministers in-charge of the Federal Ministry of Health (Physicians), four other ministers in charge of different ministries who are members of FEC (Physicians), Special Adviser, Health (Physician), the National Coordinator, The Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, PVAC (Physician) and all CEOs of the 73 Federal Health Institutions (Physicians).

He also listed CEOs of National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA), National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), National Commission for Disease Control (NCDC) – All Physicians; Chairman, NAFDAC, NHIA and over 90% of MDAS that have been constituted are all physicians. Similarly, all Vice Chancellors of the Universities of Health Sciences in Nigeria are Physicians.

Ayuba said the PSN recognises the exclusive power of the President to make appointments but stated that it was important the interest of other professionals in the health services sector be accommodated as the prevailing pattern which is detrimental to all other healthcare professions.

‘’The PSN understands very well that Your Excellency has a constitutional prerogative to make political appointments, but we solicit that a lot more circumspection is brought to bear in making these appointments.”

The PSN also expressed discontentment with the controversies associated with some projects in public health in the country bordering unlocking the healthcare value chain, but is the preserve of yet another physician.