Constant attention by a good Nurse may just be
as important as a major operation by a surgeon
Dag Hammarskjold
President Jonathan is surely a man that loves
courting controversy; searching for troubles
where there is none and at the end gets his
fingers burnt and finally he blames his political
opponents, Social Media critics and online
Journalists for his woes. The regrettable thing is
that haven wooed the entire problem; he gets
entangled in a web of quagmire which ropes
him and throws him off balance. What manner
of New Year gift is this to Nigerians? Such is
the type of President many of us will be
regretting for standing under the scorching sun
to cast our precious votes.
For the record, I am neither a media
consultant to JOHESU nor any health union,
neither have I defended them beyond the basic
facts of the issues arising out of the current
brouhaha in the health sector. I have also had
cause to defend many physicians within the
scope of their job and will always do. So let it
be!
The crisis in the health sector is still boiling
and yet our President who doesn’t give a damn
has concluded plans to create an irrelevant
office called ‘Surgeon General’ for Nigeria and
Nigerians. This certainly is no good plan as
many will think; certainly not. This is another
office meant to siphon public funds by the
Presidency and his band of looters. I have
spent three good days consulting all over the
world on who an SG is and no one has given a
good reason why Nigeria should have such
bogus position. Not even the majority of the
physicians see any need for such apart from
the elites who will fight over it.
Going through the comments in various
newspapers that have their presence online; it
is evident that Nigerians do not want such a
position. More criminal is the clause that it is
the exclusive preserve of Medical Doctors. This
is where whoever constructed the bill got it
wrong. This is where we know that our
President must have his PhD queried if he does
not know that the SG is an all inclusive position
for all medical staffs that are clinically inclined.
Here we go.
The SG is a position created exclusively for the
military in 1798 when the US Congress
established the US Marine Hospital Service.
Originally, the corps was composed only of
physicians. As medicine became complicated
with the realization that most of the injured
war victims do not always need surgery but
Physiotherapy, Nurses attention or only taking
of drugs provided by the pharmacists, the
position of the SG was made open to any of the
officers in the Medical Command (MEDCOM)
who must be a lieutenant General. Thus on
December 7th 2011, Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho.
RN was sworn in as the first woman and first
NURSE to officially be in command of the
Army’s largest medical organization. That day
proved to the world that the appointment was
no longer based on medical first degree but
most qualified among all the health workers.
At the ceremony, Gen. Raymond T. Odierno,
chief of staff of the Army, said the impact of
the Army surgeon general goes well beyond the
Army to the “national and international level.”
“This position requires a special officer that
can lead change and achieve unity of effort in
the dynamic, joint interagency and also in a
multinational role working with our allies and
partners around the world,” he said.
Horoho previously served simultaneously as the
U.S. Army deputy surgeon general and 23rd
chief of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing
from the University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill and a Master of Science in Nursing as a
clinical trauma specialist from the University of
Pittsburgh. She is a resident graduate of the
Army’s Command and General Staff College and
the Industrial College of the Armed Forces,
where she earned a second Master of Science
degree in National Resource Strategy.


Another Nurse who served as the SG was Gale
Pollock after the then Army SG, General Kevin
kIley resigned due to the controversial Walter
Reed Army Medical Centre Scandal in 2007
A policy change in 1996 made it possible for
someone other than a physician to serve as the
Army surgeon general, according to the Army
Medical Command. The policy reads that “the
surgeon general may be appointed from
officers in any corps of the Army Medical
Department and, while so serving, has the
grade of lieutenant general.” The President
should automatically get this policy change as
soon as possible.
Mr President, it is the words of General
Raymond that I bring to you today. He never
said the position required a special medical
doctor or a special surgeon but a “special
officer”. To further prove this point, a
Pharmacist is the current Deputy Surgeon
General by name, Rear Admiral Scott F.
Gibberson, and should the current SG resigns
or exit under any circumstance; Gibberson, a
Pharmacist will take over the hallowed position.
The system we wish to copy must be copied
completely with the position made open to all
medical workers.


The arrogance of a profession who swims in
delusion of self importance should not becloud
the generality of Nigerians who have seen far
than they do. Taking a look at the bill sent to
the Senate smacks of selfishness with roles that
has already render the position of the Health
Minister useless.
“He/She shall articulate scientifically based
health policy analysis, and advise the President,
National Assembly, and the Minister of Health
on the full range of critical Public health,
medical and health system issues facing the
Nation.
He/She shall elevate the quality of health
practice in the professional disciplines through
the advancement of appropriate standards and
research priorities.
He/She shall provide leadership and
management oversight in National emergency
preparedness and response i. e coordinate
health and medical services delivery during
national disasters.
He/She shall fulfill statutory and customary
functions on a wide variety of Federal Boards
and Government bodies as required by
appropriate representation.
He/She shall promote health and healthy life
styles by adherence to norms and standards,
this he shall do by providing guidelines on
health matters that affect the citizenry”
“The Surgeon-General of Nigeria (SGN) shall
appoint numbers of persons as Director or
heads of various departments provided the
appointment shall reflect the Federal Character
of Nigeria” they say. Whose money will they
waste for the SG to appoint his cronies as SA,
PA, SSA, etc? An intern medical doctor recieves
N180, thousand per month which a level 14
officer in most Federal civil service don't get.
As a junior resident, his take home pay is N273
thousand which is the salary of some directors
in Federal civil service; and as a senior resident
officer, his pay packet is N350 thousand
monthly and a consultant takes home
N800,000 thousand monthly while some gets as
much as N1.6 million, which is an annual pay
of many senior Federal civil servants, yet
someone comes to drum into our ears that it is
not true. If these people collects this
outrageous sum in a country where we don't
pay tax on the things we spend like our counter
parts abroad; how much will the SG collects
monthly? N5 million or more monthly apart
from the other loots that will be budgeted to
run the office.
What other work does the Minister of health do
other than the above listed for the proposed
SGF? Whoever thought up this idea ought to be
behind bar. To think that the SG will serve for
tenure of six years when the President who
appoints him stays for four years is certainly
the works of men who wants to use the office
to feather their next. Is the SG our problem in
the health sector? A million of them cannot
stop any Nigeria from going to seek medical
treatment abroad. If I wish to go to Germany
for treatment; it is my hard earned money and
no SG can block the airport to stop me or any
Nigerian from entering the next available plane
to go to Germany. Why deceive ourselves that
the SG can decide who goes abroad for medical
treatment? No profession must be allowed the
misadventure to ride on another like they are
princes; just as no occupation should have her
ego massaged for peace to reign. This attitude
of masturbating the ego of all medical workers
especially NMA must stop. If the SG must be
created; then the sperm of justice must run
through the embryo of all the clinical workers
and not a selected few.
Can we stop this deception of creating this
position that will further ground the health
sector and focus on solving the ones on
ground? The governor of Taraba State, Danbaba
Suntai does not need surgery to come back on
his feet today but physiotherapy. Do we then
create the office of the Physiotherapy General?
Do we need to remind ourselves that Obasanjo
closeness to Senator Andy Uba is because he
was rehabilitated by the latter who is a doctor
of physiotherapy? Did he ask the then President
to create a special post for his colleagues? Any
attempt by Mr President to create this post will
bring anarchy not just to the health sector but
Nigeria as a whole. He should get ready to
create the office of the tutor general, Reporter
General, Engineer general, bricklayer general,
Suya Man general, Banker General, Driver
general, Pharmacist general, and even
corruption general which will be headed by
Stella Oduah, Alison Madueke or Goddey
Orubebe. It is as serious as that. The President
should focus on building of quality hospitals
that will make our leaders get treated at home.
It is a lie from the pit of abyss to tell Nigerians
that medical tourism is due to the non
availability of a Surgeon General. For crying
out loud; only five countries arguably have the
office of Surgeon General and we do not have
to follow suit. Enough of this copy cat culture
in us, when we have not finished copying how
to practice the true democracy. It’s another
sub-standard lie for NMA to Nigerians that
Nigeria best brains in Medicine and Surgery are
abroad. Oh my God, it means we all have been
treated by quacks that are left in this country
all these years. We are simply finished!
All other medical workers especially the Nurses
and Physiotherapists are the worst hit as we
have them practicing abroad more than the
physician. There is brain drain in every sector
and it is entirely not the fault of Nigeria, but
personal decisions. Do we bring all the health
workers registered in their various boards to
confirm this claim?
We certainly do not have money to waste on
this borrowed post that is coming to duplicate
the minister of health. Come to think of it,
which of our medical worker in the Armed
Forces is up to the rank of a Lieutenant
General? If we must copy anything America, we
must also copy their prudent way of spending
and it has to begin from the budget. Any
attempt to gag the president into creating this
monster position without following the
Americans whom we are borrowing it from will
certainly prove to the world his weakness, and
a weak man cannot govern a country like
Nigeria. This is worse than the current
challenge of the All Progressive Congress (APC),
as it will indirectly affects the masses. What are
we even saying? The bill has been brought to
the Senate and House of Representatives and
they in their wisdom have thrown it out. It
went before the Justice Abdullahi Gusau
Committee on Harmony in the Health Sector
and was utterly rejected. This bill will certainly
not see the day without the assent of the
lawmakers, and if in whatever form it succeeds;
Mr President should please tender his
resignation letter should the health sector goes
on strike. We do not live in an animal farm
despite the President being a graduate of how
to take care of animals.
It is still a rumor for now and President
Jonathan can still warm his way back by
dousing it and reassuring us that it will never
come to pass; at least not in his regime and
never should it be. Do the needful. Happy New
Year pals.
These little things matter…
Fejiro Oliver, a Journalist can be reached on
secretsreporters@gmail.com and
+2348026797588 (sms only please). Follow on
twitter @fejirooliver86 and Facebook
fejirooliver86.

I think NMA and GEJ is getting it wrong.

Let....me...sign...on....this... thread.

Nuf said on this issue. JOHESU's meeting at the pharmacy house on Monday and I'll get back to you.

To further prove this point, a
Pharmacist is the current Deputy Surgeon
General by name, Rear Admiral Scott F.
Gibberson, and should the current SG resigns
or exit under any circumstance; Gibberson, a
Pharmacist will take over the hallowed position.
The system we wish to copy must be copied
completely with the position made open to all
medical workers.

This part made me laugh. As I said on d oda thread SGF is not an exclusive doctor thing, that's one. Two, we don't need it now. Other things needs to be put in place. Most importantly is harmony btw healthcare professionals, this is priceless. SGF won't work now as much as it's a good idea. My 5 cents pere.

Johesu say they do not want sgf. Na jealousy will kill these people.Besides fejiro is a liar. At national level, usa has four surgeon-generals-army,navy,air force, public health services. Then each state has surgeon-general for public health services. He is a reckless journalist who writes shit to deceive people. Most nations use different titles for highest physcian office viz-chief medical officer, director-general of health, chief public health officer. Allied health workers cannot stop nma because they are allied to medical practice.

thepathologist: Johesu say they do not want sgf. Na jealousy will kill these people.Besides fejiro is a liar. At national level, usa has four surgeon-generals-army,navy,air force, public health services. Then each state has surgeon-general for public health services. He is a reckless journalist who writes shit to deceive people. Most nations use different titles for highest physcian office viz-chief medical officer, director-general of health, chief public health officer. Allied health workers cannot stop nma because they are allied to medical practice.

and I laf.



Allied? Pls what will u call a Biochemist or medical Biochemist and it likes.

Damilola Olusegun Adeaga wrote from UK and I
concur
You can only have positions like surveyor-
general, attorney-general, comptroller-general
etc in cases where only one profession exists in
such system. We have only lawyers in the legal
profession, hence only lawyers can become an
attorney-general. We have only the surveyors
(registered land surveyors of the surveyors
council of Nigeria), hence only a surveyor can
become surveyor-general of the federation; an
engineer cannot be a surveyor-general.
Surveyor-general oversees survey practice only.
He doesn't dabble into the affairs of engineers,
architects and other non-surveyors.
In the health industry, we have more than one
profession (medicine, nursing, pharmacy,
physiotherapy, medical laboratory science and
so on).
The position of Surgeon -general (if it should
be at all) should be to regulate 'medical' (not
health) practices (amongst the doctors only).
How can the surgron-general be in charge of
public health? So as to dominate, dictate to and
control things to their own advantage?
America has such position in their army, and
not for the civilian health system, and the
position is open to doctors and non-doctors. It
is based on merit, and not that only a doctor
can be.
It's just like saying that only an army officer
can become a defence minister, CSO or chief of
defense staff of the country; that the airforce
or navy cannot.
Nigeria doctors are just arrogant, proud and
power-hungry.
Nigerians have rejected the surgron-general
position .. We don't want it....

enny09: Damilola Olusegun Adeaga wrote from UK and I
concur
You can only have positions like surveyor-
general, attorney-general, comptroller-general
etc in cases where only one profession exists in
such system. We have only lawyers in the legal
profession, hence only lawyers can become an
attorney-general. We have only the surveyors
(registered land surveyors of the surveyors
council of Nigeria), hence only a surveyor can
become surveyor-general of the federation; an
engineer cannot be a surveyor-general.
Surveyor-general oversees survey practice only.
He doesn't dabble into the affairs of engineers,
architects and other non-surveyors.
In the health industry, we have more than one
profession (medicine, nursing, pharmacy,
physiotherapy, medical laboratory science and
so on).
The position of Surgeon -general (if it should
be at all) should be to regulate 'medical' (not
health) practices (amongst the doctors only).
How can the surgron-general be in charge of
public health? So as to dominate, dictate to and
control things to their own advantage?
America has such position in their army, and
not for the civilian health system, and the
position is open to doctors and non-doctors. It
is based on merit, and not that only a doctor
can be.
It's just like saying that only an army officer
can become a defence minister, CSO or chief of
defense staff of the country; that the airforce
or navy cannot.
Nigeria doctors are just arrogant, proud and
power-hungry.
Nigerians have rejected the surgron-general
position .. We don't want it....

am beginning to hate this doctors' ways. They feel they superceeds all. Av said dis b4 and I wil say it again_ Once a professional always a professional!

Nigerians want surgeon-general of public health. Usa has four surgeon-general(navy,army,air force and public health). Pls, let us get info before writing.

enny09: Damilola Olusegun Adeaga wrote from UK and I
concur
You can only have positions like surveyor-
general, attorney-general, comptroller-general
etc in cases where only one profession exists in
such system. We have only lawyers in the legal
profession, hence only lawyers can become an
attorney-general. We have only the surveyors
(registered land surveyors of the surveyors
council of Nigeria), hence only a surveyor can
become surveyor-general of the federation; an
engineer cannot be a surveyor-general.
Surveyor-general oversees survey practice only.
He doesn't dabble into the affairs of engineers,
architects and other non-surveyors.
In the health industry, we have more than one
profession (medicine, nursing, pharmacy,
physiotherapy, medical laboratory science and
so on).
The position of Surgeon -general (if it should
be at all) should be to regulate 'medical' (not
health) practices (amongst the doctors only).
How can the surgron-general be in charge of
public health? So as to dominate, dictate to and
control things to their own advantage?
America has such position in their army, and
not for the civilian health system, and the
position is open to doctors and non-doctors. It
is based on merit, and not that only a doctor
can be.
It's just like saying that only an army officer
can become a defence minister, CSO or chief of
defense staff of the country; that the airforce
or navy cannot.
Nigeria doctors are just arrogant, proud and
power-hungry.
Nigerians have rejected the surgron-general
position .. We don't want it....

[quote author=thepathologist]Nigerians want surgeon-general of public health. Usa has four surgeon-general(navy,army,air force and public health). Pls, let us get info before writing.[/quote

WHAT A LIE.
Haven told the world who a Surgeon General
Is and that it can be occupied by any medical
corps, some are minting lies that USA has 2
SG. Oh no, they don't. They have one and the
current Is Rear Admiral Boris Lushniak. (Fejiro Oliver)

thepathologist: Nigerians want surgeon-general of public health. Usa has four surgeon-general(navy,army,air force and public health). Pls, let us get info before writing.

U never stop saying trash. US has only 1 SGF.

adeola_drg:

U never stop saying trash. US has only 1 SGF.

there are 4 surgeon-general in usa. one for federation,one for army,one for navy ,one for air force. who is saying trash now? ask google about different surgeon-general in usa.

adeola_drg:

U never stop saying trash. US has only 1 SGF.

us sgf is one in charge of public health. navy,air force,army ,each has its own surgeon-general. brainless student!

The appointment of the Surgeon-General of the Federation is a done deal. JOHESU or whatever else they call themselves cannot stop it. Their arguments against it are downright hilarious and filled with untruths and show a poor comprehension of basic English. But we can't really expect better from a conglomeration of some vocal frustrated half-baked doctor wannabes.

Let's clear some misconceptions:

1. No nurse or pharmacist has ever been the Surgeon-General of the United States. That office has always from inception to present all 18 times been headed by a Physician.

2. The US Surgeon-General is the operational head of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (PHSCC) and thus the leading spokesperson on matters of public health in the federal government of the United States.

3. Because of it's history, the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (PHSCC) is organized like a military organization, which is why the US Surgeon-General bears the rank of Rear Admiral. However, officially, they are designated non-combatant.

4. A lot of what has been written here by JOHESU members concerning the US Surgeon-General confuses the Surgeon-Generals of the US Armed Forces with that of the Surgeon-General of the United States

Wikipedia: In the United States and many areas of British Commonwealth, the title of Surgeon General refers to a physician commissioned by the government and entrusted with public health responsibilities. The post originated in the 17th century, as military units brought their own doctors. Thus, in the United States, the chief public health officer is the Surgeon General of the United States and each state has its own State Surgeon General. Moreover, each branch of the American military services has its own surgeon general, with more combat-related responsibilities and experience, hence Surgeon General of the United States Army, Surgeon General of the United States Navy, and Surgeon General of the United States Air Force.

JOHESU and their agents should note that the above reference mentions the British Commonwealth of which Nigeria is part. The appointment of the Surgeon-General (or Chief Medical Officer) whichever title is finally agreed on is long overdue. And yes it refers to Physicians not Pharmacists, not Nurses, not Lab Scientists etc.

thepathologist:

us sgf is one in charge of public health. navy,air force,army ,each has its own surgeon-general. brainless student!

Brainy pathetic pathologist. Go back to Google and bring us a link biko. That's what u know how to do best.

@aletheia U seem to av some brain..

Kk, no one said a pharmacist or nurse has been surgeon-general. Fejiro only said a pharmacist is presently the deputy SG. This clearly tells me that SGF office is not an exclusive doctor thing. Isn't it? Now tell me how this solves the problems confronting the health sector and the health of Nigerians at large. I need an answer pulllluuuuueeezzz!!!!

In the United States and many areas
of British Commonwealth, the title of
Surgeon General refers to a physician
commissioned by the government
and entrusted with public health
responsibilities. The post originated in
the 17th century, as military units
brought their own doctors. Thus, in
the United States, the chief public
health officer is the Surgeon General
of the United States and each state
has its own State Surgeon General .
Moreover, each branch of the
American military services has its own
surgeon general, with more combat-
related responsibilities and
experience, hence Surgeon General of
the United States Army
, Surgeon General of the United States
Navy
, and Surgeon General of the United
States Air Force
.
See also
Surgeon General of the United
States
Surgeon General (Canada)
Surgeon-General (United
Kingdom)
Chief Medical Officer (Ireland)
Chief Medical Officer (United
Kingdom)


http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surgeon_General

Acting Deputy Surgeon General
U.S. Public Health Service
Rear Admiral (RADM) Scott F. Giberson is the Acting United States Deputy Surgeon General. He supports Acting Surgeon General RADM Boris Lushniak in communicating the best available scientific information to the public regarding ways to improve personal health and the health of the Nation.
RADM Scott Giberson was selected by 18thSurgeon General Regina Benjamin as the first Director, Division of Commissioned Corps Personnel and Readiness (DCCPR) in August, 2011. He had operational leadership for a new Corps infrastructure that provides the management of all personnel and readiness systems for over 6,700 Commissioned Corps officers. This included responsibility and accountability for comprehensive force management for the USPHS Commissioned Corps.

Since March 16, 2010, RADM Giberson has served as Assistant Surgeon General and Chief Professional Officer (CPO), Pharmacy, for the United States Public Health Service (USPHS). As CPO, Pharmacy, he advises the Office of the Surgeon General on career development and management of more than 1150 PHS pharmacists. In addition, he assumed the role of Deputy Surgeon General July 17, 2013.

RADM Giberson began his Corps career in 1994, and has served in roles as a Clinical Pharmacist, Chief Pharmacist, Senior Public Health Advisor, Senior Medical Program Officer, Division Director, and Principal Consultant. In 2001, RADM Giberson responded to the Anthrax attacks in New York City and was later chosen by his peers as the National Coordinator for over 40 Nurse and Pharmacist Response Teams as he worked under the newly-formed Department of Homeland Security. In 2003, RADM Giberson was then detailed to the Department of Defense (DOD) for three years. He served on many international health missions for the U.S. Pacific Command involving more than 23 countries. His bilateral work with specific countries also included Thailand, India, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. He traveled extensively working with foreign militaries on HIV/AIDS and other initiatives. Following his work in the Pacific, he transitioned to the Indian Health Service (IHS) as the Director of the National HIV/AIDS Program.

RADM Giberson maintains dual licensure as a pharmacist and clinician – and has worked as a member of an IHS Family Practice Medical staff for most of his career. RADM Giberson has authored nationally published articles, spoken at venues domestically and internationally, and served as adjunct faculty at multiple universities.

RADM Giberson has received numerous awards across his career including a DOD Meritorious Service Medal. He was recently selected by the American Pharmacists Association as the 2013 Distinguished Federal Pharmacist of the Year and was also a recipient of the 2013 American Society of Health System Pharmacists Award of Excellence. RADM Giberson holds a Bachelors Degree in Pharmacy from Temple University, a Masters Degree in Public Health from the University of Massachusetts, a graduate certificate in Health Emergencies in Large Populations, and received an Honorary Doctor of Science from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine for his body of work on improvement of patient and health system outcomes through inter-professional collaboration.continue reading. . .

thepathologist: In the United States and many areas
of British Commonwealth, the title of
Surgeon General refers to a physician
commissioned by the government
and entrusted with public health
responsibilities. The post originated in
the 17th century, as military units
brought their own doctors. Thus, in
the United States, the chief public
health officer is the Surgeon General
of the United States and each state
has its own State Surgeon General .
Moreover, each branch of the
American military services has its own
surgeon general, with more combat-
related responsibilities and
experience, hence Surgeon General of
the United States Army
, Surgeon General of the United States
Navy
, and Surgeon General of the United
States Air Force
.
See also
Surgeon General of the United
States
Surgeon General (Canada)
Surgeon-General (United
Kingdom)
Chief Medical Officer (Ireland)
Chief Medical Officer (United
Kingdom)


http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surgeon_General

I see!!

So y do we need it?? Of what importance is it to us ATM. And plss don't give me the 'we shud av it because they av it in the US'. Moreover, its not exclusively for doctors, so y r they crying for it? How does it solve our problems. Answer this questions reasonably and I'll just keep shut.

adeola_drg:

I see!!

So y do we need it?? Of what importance is it to us ATM. And plss don't give me the 'we shud av it because they av it in the US'. Moreover, its not exclusively for doctors, so y r they crying for it? How does it solve our problems. Answer this questions reasonably and I'll just keep shut.

bluntly put, we need it so that the rest of you can kill yourselves over 'minister of health' .

phantom: bluntly put, we need it so that the rest of you can kill yourselves over 'minister of health' .

Okay, we'll kill ourselves over ministry of health. Buh how does SGF help ur cause? It really doesn't. Wake up from ur slumber.

Still no reason for SGF? Smh.

adeola_drg:

I see!!

So y do we need it?? Of what importance is it to us ATM. And plss don't give me the 'we shud av it because they av it in the US'. Moreover, its not exclusively for doctors, so y r they crying for it? How does it solve our problems. Answer this questions reasonably and I'll just keep shut.

stupid boy.

phantom: bluntly put, we need it so that the rest of you can kill yourselves over 'minister of health' .

eihyaa. . . . . Hope u knw its nt exclusively for Physicians in the US?

Bro, wake up! and focus on the reason for being a Physician than fighting for unneccessary lordship.