PRESS CONFERENCE DELIVERED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (NMA), FCT CHAPTER, DR. CHIEDOZIE JUDE ACHONWA TO STATE THE POSITION OF THE NMA WITH RESPECT TO THE ONGOING STRIKE ACTION BY JOHESU AT THE CONFERENCE HALL OF FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ABUJA ON TUESDAY,22ND MAY 2018.
Protocol
It is no longer news that JOHESU has been on strike for over a month now over sundry demands which include among others equal pay with medical doctors, headship of our public hospitals. Since the strike commenced, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) FCT has been following up on matters arising from it. We would ordinarily have ignored JOHESU as it concerns her ongoing strike but we are at the moment constrained to respond and put the record straight to debunk JOHESU’s deliberate peddling of falsehood, twist of facts, misinformation and manufacture of non-existent figures just to hoodwink and get the sympathy of the innocent and unsuspecting public who may tend to believe their propaganda if we keep quiet. While unionism and activism is encouraged, it must not be carried to the extreme with the delusion that the system can always be brought to its knees for unreasonable, baseless and reckless demands to be acceded to. The NMA wishes to state clearly that the ongoing JOHESU strike is essentially against medical doctors in particular, and the peace-loving Nigerians in general. The unnecessary strike, we must let Nigerians know, is centered on quest for equal pay with Medical doctors as well as leadership (clinical governance) contestation in our hospitals.
Naturally when a sick person visits the Hospital, it is to see a medical doctor to get cured of his/her ailment. In getting the patient cured, several other factors come into play between the doctor and the patient. It is within these factors that the allied healthcare professionals play their supportive roles. It must however, be emphasized that these support staff only act upon the instruction or directive of the doctor. This is the standard practice world over, and is the concept of governance in clinical practice which Nigeria cannot be an exception. Apart from the fact that the training of a medical doctor is all encompassing (it covers all the fields of other healthcare professionals in addition to the core patient care and management), it is the doctor that is held accountable should anything go wrong in the overall management of the patient. Nigerians can therefore, be the judge as to who qualifies to be the leader of the health team.
While NMA appreciates the supporting roles being played by members of allied healthcare professionals and considers them important stakeholders in the health team, it is, however, in the best interest of this country for everyone to stay within their roles as team players. Nigerians need to understand that the Hospital is structured in such a way that every treatment/instruction must be directed from the medical doctor. No patient receives anything in the Hospital unless the doctor says so. The reason is not far-fetched. It is in the best interest of the patient so that he/she is not mishandled. The outcome is better imagined when a doctor gives instruction on patient’s management and the other healthcare workers also give separate and possibly conflicting directives on the same patient. It is akin to the proverb ‘’too many cooks spoil the broth’’. The unwarranted leadership contest in the health sector by JOHESU in recent years has led to several untold hardships on our patients with attendant avoidable loss of lives in some of our public health institutions. Comparison of Nigeria health indices between the remote past and recently shows that we fared better in the former when there was orderliness, strict observance of roles, and obedience of doctors’ command with respect to patient care. Questions must be asked while this unfortunate scenario doesn’t play out in private or public-private Hospitals. The answer is obvious; everybody knows his/her boundary and must conform to laid down rules and organogram.
Concerning the quest by JOHESU to earn equal pay with doctors, it must be reiterated that NMA has never been against any wage or salary increase or adjustment for health workers. Rather, NMA has, in her numerous engagements, severally advocated for wage or salary increase for all Nigerian workers. It must be emphasized that what JOHESU is asking for is not necessarily increment in salary per se, but equal pay as doctors. They want government to pay them exactly the same amount as paid to doctors. Is a court clerk paid the same wage as a judge, or an air hostess as a pilot? The answer is definitely NO. It should be expected, therefore, that NMA will never allow JOHESU to use subterfuge and backdoor approach to become doctors. The universities are out there with clearly spelt-out guidelines for anyone who wishes to study Medicine and Dentistry. We wish to encourage JOHESU to take advantage of that rather than employing this back door approach to become ‘’doctors’’.
The concept of wage relativity is used in wage management to ensure that only equal job of equal value attract equal pay. This was succinctly and clearly stated in the judgement of National Industrial Court of Nigeria in 2006 and affirmed by same in 2013 in matters involving JOHESU. Relativity exists between the salaries of healthcare workers in the hospitals and their counterparts in other agencies and parastatals of government. Engineers, administrators and accountants in hospitals (members of JOHESU) earn between 2 to 3 times the salaries of their counterparts in the core public service. Whether this is deserved is not the question, but for the purpose of this conference, is it not contradictory, deceitful and ironical that the same healthcare workers who on one hand accepted an advantaged salary over their counterparts outside the health sector on same levels and steps will turn around to reject salary difference with the doctor who does a superior and different job from them?
Historical trend of salary award/adjustment and relativity:
Pre-independence to 1974: Practitioners of Medicine and Dentistry (medical and dental practitioners) were grouped in Senior Service Scale A which was the apex for remunerating public officers. The relativity between the salaries of medical doctors and graduates of other health sector was 1:1.58 at the entry point and 1:1.65 at the terminal point
1975: Udoji committee eroded the relativity in the health sector, and the ratio dropped to 1:1.27 at the entry point and 1:1.07 at the terminal. The NMA protested which led to the setting up of the Justice Atanda Fatai-Williams presidential committee to look into the complaints in 1990.
1991: Due to the findings of that committee, circular 1, 1991 containing two separate salary structures in the health sector was released. This was following the approval of the memorandum by the Federal Executive Council at its 11th meeting in 1990. It was an attempt to correct the distorted relativity. These were:
Medical System Scale (MSS) for consultants and below
Medical System Super Scale (MSSS) for consultants Special Grades I and II.
(A and B were contained in a single circular).
Health System Scale (RUSS/HSS) for other health care workers.
The relativity at the entry point was 1:1.28 and 1:1.2521 at the terminal.
1993: The 45% award on salaries for public officers in 1992 was implemented on the 8th of February 1993 for doctors to restore the relativity between MSS/MSSS and other salary structures.
However, on the 9th of February 1993, a 15% award was applied to other salaries through circular CND.26/S.5/Vol.IV/380 without corresponding application to MSS/MSSS. This brought down the relativity at the entry point to 1:1.1 and 1:1.94 at the terminal.
1995: The industrial arbitration panel award of professional allowances eroded the relativity. Consequently, NARD/NMA demanded for the restoration of 1:3.33 ratio prior to the award. In response government did a comparative analysis of salary/wages worldwide and found a relativity range of 1:2 to 1:2.7. Government eventually signed an agreement with NARD on a relativity of 1:2.5
1998: The Federal government carried out harmonization of salaries. The MSS/MSSS were harmonized into HATISS for doctors in tertiary institutions and HAPSS for those in regular public service. The NMA and NARD protested to the Federal Government on what they called ‘’drop in salary’’ for those who were paid HATISS. The Association rejected the HATISS structure and asked government to pay her members with HAPSS pending a possible correction of the error they observed in HATISS. This was approved by government.
NARD complained of a distortion in relativity as a result of the harmonization of salaries. The National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission(NSIWC) did half-hearted correction of the observed errors in the conversion of MSS/MSSS into the HATISS structure. These corrections were rejected citing inadequate address of the relativity problem observed. The relativity at the entry point was 1:1.2, at all other grades it dropped to 1:1
2001: The relativity of 1:2.5 (4:2:1.7) for call duty allowance was sustained.
2006 and 2013: JOHESU went to court to seek pay parity with Doctors at the NICN but that wasn’t granted.
2014: The NMA persistent protest led to the setting up of the Alhaji GoniAji presidential committee to look into her complaints in 2013. Consequently, the Federal government signed an agreement with the NMA on relativity at each grade level with CONHESS as the reference. A circular on the correction was issued on the 3rd of January, 2014. Relativity was 1:1.2 to 1:1.5
In all it dropped from 1.58 to 1.2 for fresh doctors, and from 1.65 to 1.5 for consultant Special Grade 1 and or a Professor of Medicine on full appointment in a Hospital.
We wish to, at this juncture, remind the government that NMA will not accept any attempt to further distort or erode the existing relativity as agreed and signed in the collective bargaining agreement of 2014. It is important to note that this agreement was reached with a lot of comprise and sacrifice already on the part of Nigerian doctors. It is worthy of note that members at the recently held NMA ADM unanimously resolved to utilize every means legitimate to forestall any attempt to disregard or breach the said agreement. It must be placed on record that NMA has put before government issues that border on universal health coverage, improvement of health facilities and equipment as well as issues regarding conditions of service. It is our hope that government, while engaging in dialogue on these matters with a view to making progress, will not precipitate another crisis by bowing and acceding to pressure from JOHESU.
Doctors in the FCT have been going about their legitimate duties in all public health facilities. They have had to go extra miles to cover for the absence of the allied health professionals in order to ensure service delivery to patients. Management of our public health institutions have been visited and encouraged to create an enabling environment for doctors to carry out their duties and we are very much satisfied with their cooperation. We wish to seize this opportunity to call on patients who may have mistakenly fallen for the propaganda of JOHESU that the entire health institutions have been locked down by their strike to visit and access care from our Hospitals.
We urge the allied health professionals to be reasonable in their demands, suspend their strike, return back to work to join the doctors to continue the good work for the benefit of the masses.
Dr. Chiedozie Jude Achonwa Dr. Abdullahi Nasiru
Chairman, NMA-FCT Secretary, NMA-FCT

Correct

rottentomatoes:
PRESS CONFERENCE DELIVERED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (NMA), FCT CHAPTER, DR. CHIEDOZIE JUDE ACHONWA TO STATE THE POSITION OF THE NMA WITH RESPECT TO THE ONGOING STRIKE ACTION BY JOHESU AT THE CONFERENCE HALL OF FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ABUJA ON TUESDAY,22ND MAY 2018.
Protocol
It is no longer news that JOHESU has been on strike for over a month now over sundry demands which include among others equal pay with medical doctors, headship of our public hospitals. Since the strike commenced, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) FCT has been following up on matters arising from it. We would ordinarily have ignored JOHESU as it concerns her ongoing strike but we are at the moment constrained to respond and put the record straight to debunk JOHESU’s deliberate peddling of falsehood, twist of facts, misinformation and manufacture of non-existent figures just to hoodwink and get the sympathy of the innocent and unsuspecting public who may tend to believe their propaganda if we keep quiet. While unionism and activism is encouraged, it must not be carried to the extreme with the delusion that the system can always be brought to its knees for unreasonable, baseless and reckless demands to be acceded to. The NMA wishes to state clearly that the ongoing JOHESU strike is essentially against medical doctors in particular, and the peace-loving Nigerians in general. The unnecessary strike, we must let Nigerians know, is centered on quest for equal pay with Medical doctors as well as leadership (clinical governance) contestation in our hospitals.
Naturally when a sick person visits the Hospital, it is to see a medical doctor to get cured of his/her ailment. In getting the patient cured, several other factors come into play between the doctor and the patient. It is within these factors that the allied healthcare professionals play their supportive roles. It must however, be emphasized that these support staff only act upon the instruction or directive of the doctor. This is the standard practice world over, and is the concept of governance in clinical practice which Nigeria cannot be an exception. Apart from the fact that the training of a medical doctor is all encompassing (it covers all the fields of other healthcare professionals in addition to the core patient care and management), it is the doctor that is held accountable should anything go wrong in the overall management of the patient. Nigerians can therefore, be the judge as to who qualifies to be the leader of the health team.
While NMA appreciates the supporting roles being played by members of allied healthcare professionals and considers them important stakeholders in the health team, it is, however, in the best interest of this country for everyone to stay within their roles as team players. Nigerians need to understand that the Hospital is structured in such a way that every treatment/instruction must be directed from the medical doctor. No patient receives anything in the Hospital unless the doctor says so. The reason is not far-fetched. It is in the best interest of the patient so that he/she is not mishandled. The outcome is better imagined when a doctor gives instruction on patient’s management and the other healthcare workers also give separate and possibly conflicting directives on the same patient. It is akin to the proverb ‘’too many cooks spoil the broth’’. The unwarranted leadership contest in the health sector by JOHESU in recent years has led to several untold hardships on our patients with attendant avoidable loss of lives in some of our public health institutions. Comparison of Nigeria health indices between the remote past and recently shows that we fared better in the former when there was orderliness, strict observance of roles, and obedience of doctors’ command with respect to patient care. Questions must be asked while this unfortunate scenario doesn’t play out in private or public-private Hospitals. The answer is obvious; everybody knows his/her boundary and must conform to laid down rules and organogram.
Concerning the quest by JOHESU to earn equal pay with doctors, it must be reiterated that NMA has never been against any wage or salary increase or adjustment for health workers. Rather, NMA has, in her numerous engagements, severally advocated for wage or salary increase for all Nigerian workers. It must be emphasized that what JOHESU is asking for is not necessarily increment in salary per se, but equal pay as doctors. They want government to pay them exactly the same amount as paid to doctors. Is a court clerk paid the same wage as a judge, or an air hostess as a pilot? The answer is definitely NO. It should be expected, therefore, that NMA will never allow JOHESU to use subterfuge and backdoor approach to become doctors. The universities are out there with clearly spelt-out guidelines for anyone who wishes to study Medicine and Dentistry. We wish to encourage JOHESU to take advantage of that rather than employing this back door approach to become ‘’doctors’’.
The concept of wage relativity is used in wage management to ensure that only equal job of equal value attract equal pay. This was succinctly and clearly stated in the judgement of National Industrial Court of Nigeria in 2006 and affirmed by same in 2013 in matters involving JOHESU. Relativity exists between the salaries of healthcare workers in the hospitals and their counterparts in other agencies and parastatals of government. Engineers, administrators and accountants in hospitals (members of JOHESU) earn between 2 to 3 times the salaries of their counterparts in the core public service. Whether this is deserved is not the question, but for the purpose of this conference, is it not contradictory, deceitful and ironical that the same healthcare workers who on one hand accepted an advantaged salary over their counterparts outside the health sector on same levels and steps will turn around to reject salary difference with the doctor who does a superior and different job from them?
Historical trend of salary award/adjustment and relativity:
Pre-independence to 1974: Practitioners of Medicine and Dentistry (medical and dental practitioners) were grouped in Senior Service Scale A which was the apex for remunerating public officers. The relativity between the salaries of medical doctors and graduates of other health sector was 1:1.58 at the entry point and 1:1.65 at the terminal point
1975: Udoji committee eroded the relativity in the health sector, and the ratio dropped to 1:1.27 at the entry point and 1:1.07 at the terminal. The NMA protested which led to the setting up of the Justice Atanda Fatai-Williams presidential committee to look into the complaints in 1990.
1991: Due to the findings of that committee, circular 1, 1991 containing two separate salary structures in the health sector was released. This was following the approval of the memorandum by the Federal Executive Council at its 11th meeting in 1990. It was an attempt to correct the distorted relativity. These were:
Medical System Scale (MSS) for consultants and below
Medical System Super Scale (MSSS) for consultants Special Grades I and II.
(A and B were contained in a single circular).
Health System Scale (RUSS/HSS) for other health care workers.
The relativity at the entry point was 1:1.28 and 1:1.2521 at the terminal.
1993: The 45% award on salaries for public officers in 1992 was implemented on the 8th of February 1993 for doctors to restore the relativity between MSS/MSSS and other salary structures.
However, on the 9th of February 1993, a 15% award was applied to other salaries through circular CND.26/S.5/Vol.IV/380 without corresponding application to MSS/MSSS. This brought down the relativity at the entry point to 1:1.1 and 1:1.94 at the terminal.
1995: The industrial arbitration panel award of professional allowances eroded the relativity. Consequently, NARD/NMA demanded for the restoration of 1:3.33 ratio prior to the award. In response government did a comparative analysis of salary/wages worldwide and found a relativity range of 1:2 to 1:2.7. Government eventually signed an agreement with NARD on a relativity of 1:2.5
1998: The Federal government carried out harmonization of salaries. The MSS/MSSS were harmonized into HATISS for doctors in tertiary institutions and HAPSS for those in regular public service. The NMA and NARD protested to the Federal Government on what they called ‘’drop in salary’’ for those who were paid HATISS. The Association rejected the HATISS structure and asked government to pay her members with HAPSS pending a possible correction of the error they observed in HATISS. This was approved by government.
NARD complained of a distortion in relativity as a result of the harmonization of salaries. The National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission(NSIWC) did half-hearted correction of the observed errors in the conversion of MSS/MSSS into the HATISS structure. These corrections were rejected citing inadequate address of the relativity problem observed. The relativity at the entry point was 1:1.2, at all other grades it dropped to 1:1
2001: The relativity of 1:2.5 (4:2:1.7) for call duty allowance was sustained.
2006 and 2013: JOHESU went to court to seek pay parity with Doctors at the NICN but that wasn’t granted.
2014: The NMA persistent protest led to the setting up of the Alhaji GoniAji presidential committee to look into her complaints in 2013. Consequently, the Federal government signed an agreement with the NMA on relativity at each grade level with CONHESS as the reference. A circular on the correction was issued on the 3rd of January, 2014. Relativity was 1:1.2 to 1:1.5
In all it dropped from 1.58 to 1.2 for fresh doctors, and from 1.65 to 1.5 for consultant Special Grade 1 and or a Professor of Medicine on full appointment in a Hospital.
We wish to, at this juncture, remind the government that NMA will not accept any attempt to further distort or erode the existing relativity as agreed and signed in the collective bargaining agreement of 2014. It is important to note that this agreement was reached with a lot of comprise and sacrifice already on the part of Nigerian doctors. It is worthy of note that members at the recently held NMA ADM unanimously resolved to utilize every means legitimate to forestall any attempt to disregard or breach the said agreement. It must be placed on record that NMA has put before government issues that border on universal health coverage, improvement of health facilities and equipment as well as issues regarding conditions of service. It is our hope that government, while engaging in dialogue on these matters with a view to making progress, will not precipitate another crisis by bowing and acceding to pressure from JOHESU.
Doctors in the FCT have been going about their legitimate duties in all public health facilities. They have had to go extra miles to cover for the absence of the allied health professionals in order to ensure service delivery to patients. Management of our public health institutions have been visited and encouraged to create an enabling environment for doctors to carry out their duties and we are very much satisfied with their cooperation. We wish to seize this opportunity to call on patients who may have mistakenly fallen for the propaganda of JOHESU that the entire health institutions have been locked down by their strike to visit and access care from our Hospitals.
We urge the allied health professionals to be reasonable in their demands, suspend their strike, return back to work to join the doctors to continue the good work for the benefit of the masses.
Dr. Chiedozie Jude Achonwa Dr. Abdullahi Nasiru
Chairman, NMA-FCT Secretary, NMA-FCT

No more..no less

Johesu will eventually stab themselves on their own foot. Federal Hospitals should be privitized let see who will pay a glorified lab technician same as a physician. Why don't they fight this in MSF, or shell or Chevron, but only in government hospitals? The Nigerian government has it is needs to wake up.

Spot on from NMA

Juhesu are inferior hospital support staff n must obey d directives of doctors

Juhesu can't become doctors from back door they shld go back to school if they want to be treated as doctors.

What juhesu receive currently is even too much considering d economy of Nigeria

Govt shld fire n replace juhesu members if they don't want to work, foolish association. I stand with doctors

Johesu now

rottentomatoes:
PRESS CONFERENCE DELIVERED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (NMA), FCT CHAPTER, DR. CHIEDOZIE JUDE ACHONWA TO STATE THE POSITION OF THE NMA WITH RESPECT TO THE ONGOING STRIKE ACTION BY JOHESU AT THE CONFERENCE HALL OF FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ABUJA ON TUESDAY,22ND MAY 2018.
Protocol
It is no longer news that JOHESU has been on strike for over a month now over sundry demands which include among others equal pay with medical doctors, headship of our public hospitals. Since the strike commenced, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) FCT has been following up on matters arising from it. We would ordinarily have ignored JOHESU as it concerns her ongoing strike but we are at the moment constrained to respond and put the record straight to debunk JOHESU’s deliberate peddling of falsehood, twist of facts, misinformation and manufacture of non-existent figures just to hoodwink and get the sympathy of the innocent and unsuspecting public who may tend to believe their propaganda if we keep quiet. While unionism and activism is encouraged, it must not be carried to the extreme with the delusion that the system can always be brought to its knees for unreasonable, baseless and reckless demands to be acceded to. The NMA wishes to state clearly that the ongoing JOHESU strike is essentially against medical doctors in particular, and the peace-loving Nigerians in general. The unnecessary strike, we must let Nigerians know, is centered on quest for equal pay with Medical doctors as well as leadership (clinical governance) contestation in our hospitals.
Naturally when a sick person visits the Hospital, it is to see a medical doctor to get cured of his/her ailment. In getting the patient cured, several other factors come into play between the doctor and the patient. It is within these factors that the allied healthcare professionals play their supportive roles. It must however, be emphasized that these support staff only act upon the instruction or directive of the doctor. This is the standard practice world over, and is the concept of governance in clinical practice which Nigeria cannot be an exception. Apart from the fact that the training of a medical doctor is all encompassing (it covers all the fields of other healthcare professionals in addition to the core patient care and management), it is the doctor that is held accountable should anything go wrong in the overall management of the patient. Nigerians can therefore, be the judge as to who qualifies to be the leader of the health team.
While NMA appreciates the supporting roles being played by members of allied healthcare professionals and considers them important stakeholders in the health team, it is, however, in the best interest of this country for everyone to stay within their roles as team players. Nigerians need to understand that the Hospital is structured in such a way that every treatment/instruction must be directed from the medical doctor. No patient receives anything in the Hospital unless the doctor says so. The reason is not far-fetched. It is in the best interest of the patient so that he/she is not mishandled. The outcome is better imagined when a doctor gives instruction on patient’s management and the other healthcare workers also give separate and possibly conflicting directives on the same patient. It is akin to the proverb ‘’too many cooks spoil the broth’’. The unwarranted leadership contest in the health sector by JOHESU in recent years has led to several untold hardships on our patients with attendant avoidable loss of lives in some of our public health institutions. Comparison of Nigeria health indices between the remote past and recently shows that we fared better in the former when there was orderliness, strict observance of roles, and obedience of doctors’ command with respect to patient care. Questions must be asked while this unfortunate scenario doesn’t play out in private or public-private Hospitals. The answer is obvious; everybody knows his/her boundary and must conform to laid down rules and organogram.
Concerning the quest by JOHESU to earn equal pay with doctors, it must be reiterated that NMA has never been against any wage or salary increase or adjustment for health workers. Rather, NMA has, in her numerous engagements, severally advocated for wage or salary increase for all Nigerian workers. It must be emphasized that what JOHESU is asking for is not necessarily increment in salary per se, but equal pay as doctors. They want government to pay them exactly the same amount as paid to doctors. Is a court clerk paid the same wage as a judge, or an air hostess as a pilot? The answer is definitely NO. It should be expected, therefore, that NMA will never allow JOHESU to use subterfuge and backdoor approach to become doctors. The universities are out there with clearly spelt-out guidelines for anyone who wishes to study Medicine and Dentistry. We wish to encourage JOHESU to take advantage of that rather than employing this back door approach to become ‘’doctors’’.
The concept of wage relativity is used in wage management to ensure that only equal job of equal value attract equal pay. This was succinctly and clearly stated in the judgement of National Industrial Court of Nigeria in 2006 and affirmed by same in 2013 in matters involving JOHESU. Relativity exists between the salaries of healthcare workers in the hospitals and their counterparts in other agencies and parastatals of government. Engineers, administrators and accountants in hospitals (members of JOHESU) earn between 2 to 3 times the salaries of their counterparts in the core public service. Whether this is deserved is not the question, but for the purpose of this conference, is it not contradictory, deceitful and ironical that the same healthcare workers who on one hand accepted an advantaged salary over their counterparts outside the health sector on same levels and steps will turn around to reject salary difference with the doctor who does a superior and different job from them?
Historical trend of salary award/adjustment and relativity:
Pre-independence to 1974: Practitioners of Medicine and Dentistry (medical and dental practitioners) were grouped in Senior Service Scale A which was the apex for remunerating public officers. The relativity between the salaries of medical doctors and graduates of other health sector was 1:1.58 at the entry point and 1:1.65 at the terminal point
1975: Udoji committee eroded the relativity in the health sector, and the ratio dropped to 1:1.27 at the entry point and 1:1.07 at the terminal. The NMA protested which led to the setting up of the Justice Atanda Fatai-Williams presidential committee to look into the complaints in 1990.
1991: Due to the findings of that committee, circular 1, 1991 containing two separate salary structures in the health sector was released. This was following the approval of the memorandum by the Federal Executive Council at its 11th meeting in 1990. It was an attempt to correct the distorted relativity. These were:
Medical System Scale (MSS) for consultants and below
Medical System Super Scale (MSSS) for consultants Special Grades I and II.
(A and B were contained in a single circular).
Health System Scale (RUSS/HSS) for other health care workers.
The relativity at the entry point was 1:1.28 and 1:1.2521 at the terminal.
1993: The 45% award on salaries for public officers in 1992 was implemented on the 8th of February 1993 for doctors to restore the relativity between MSS/MSSS and other salary structures.
However, on the 9th of February 1993, a 15% award was applied to other salaries through circular CND.26/S.5/Vol.IV/380 without corresponding application to MSS/MSSS. This brought down the relativity at the entry point to 1:1.1 and 1:1.94 at the terminal.
1995: The industrial arbitration panel award of professional allowances eroded the relativity. Consequently, NARD/NMA demanded for the restoration of 1:3.33 ratio prior to the award. In response government did a comparative analysis of salary/wages worldwide and found a relativity range of 1:2 to 1:2.7. Government eventually signed an agreement with NARD on a relativity of 1:2.5
1998: The Federal government carried out harmonization of salaries. The MSS/MSSS were harmonized into HATISS for doctors in tertiary institutions and HAPSS for those in regular public service. The NMA and NARD protested to the Federal Government on what they called ‘’drop in salary’’ for those who were paid HATISS. The Association rejected the HATISS structure and asked government to pay her members with HAPSS pending a possible correction of the error they observed in HATISS. This was approved by government.
NARD complained of a distortion in relativity as a result of the harmonization of salaries. The National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission(NSIWC) did half-hearted correction of the observed errors in the conversion of MSS/MSSS into the HATISS structure. These corrections were rejected citing inadequate address of the relativity problem observed. The relativity at the entry point was 1:1.2, at all other grades it dropped to 1:1
2001: The relativity of 1:2.5 (4:2:1.7) for call duty allowance was sustained.
2006 and 2013: JOHESU went to court to seek pay parity with Doctors at the NICN but that wasn’t granted.
2014: The NMA persistent protest led to the setting up of the Alhaji GoniAji presidential committee to look into her complaints in 2013. Consequently, the Federal government signed an agreement with the NMA on relativity at each grade level with CONHESS as the reference. A circular on the correction was issued on the 3rd of January, 2014. Relativity was 1:1.2 to 1:1.5
In all it dropped from 1.58 to 1.2 for fresh doctors, and from 1.65 to 1.5 for consultant Special Grade 1 and or a Professor of Medicine on full appointment in a Hospital.
We wish to, at this juncture, remind the government that NMA will not accept any attempt to further distort or erode the existing relativity as agreed and signed in the collective bargaining agreement of 2014. It is important to note that this agreement was reached with a lot of comprise and sacrifice already on the part of Nigerian doctors. It is worthy of note that members at the recently held NMA ADM unanimously resolved to utilize every means legitimate to forestall any attempt to disregard or breach the said agreement. It must be placed on record that NMA has put before government issues that border on universal health coverage, improvement of health facilities and equipment as well as issues regarding conditions of service. It is our hope that government, while engaging in dialogue on these matters with a view to making progress, will not precipitate another crisis by bowing and acceding to pressure from JOHESU.
Doctors in the FCT have been going about their legitimate duties in all public health facilities. They have had to go extra miles to cover for the absence of the allied health professionals in order to ensure service delivery to patients. Management of our public health institutions have been visited and encouraged to create an enabling environment for doctors to carry out their duties and we are very much satisfied with their cooperation. We wish to seize this opportunity to call on patients who may have mistakenly fallen for the propaganda of JOHESU that the entire health institutions have been locked down by their strike to visit and access care from our Hospitals.
We urge the allied health professionals to be reasonable in their demands, suspend their strike, return back to work to join the doctors to continue the good work for the benefit of the masses.
Dr. Chiedozie Jude Achonwa Dr. Abdullahi Nasiru
Chairman, NMA-FCT Secretary, NMA-FCT

This article is full of sound and fury signifying nothing. It is only good for the trash can.

The health sector needs to be sanitized and overhauled...there should be clear separation of duties and independence.
If anarchy persist,we all will loose and the patient will suffer.

Someone would think the NMA is the one on strike with the spate they shell out press releases.

I thought they are supposed to be VERY BUSY attending to patients but they seem to have so much time on their hands.

The evil amalgamation should be dispersed. This kind of trash is happening only because the government is not serious. The same lab scientist forming oga @ top by force in the government hospital usually come begging me to send patients to his private lab( very laughable) . The consultant pharmacist will come lobbying for drug presentations and will even drop gifts and food before we will agree to listen to what stuff he or she has. Let work together as a team to make this country great and stop cutting corners.

rotadeco27:
The evil amalgamation should be dispersed. This kind of trash is happening only because the government is not serious. The same lab scientist forming oga @ top by force in the government hospital usually come begging me to send patients to his private lab( very laughable) . The consultant pharmacist will come lobbying for drug presentations and will even drop gifts and food before we will agree to listen to what stuff he or she has. Let work together as a team to make this country great and stop cutting corners.

The same way Doctors beg community pharmacists to refer patients to their private hospitals, the same way doctors beg for discounts when buying drugs from pharmacies..its a circle bro we need each other

Well documented.factual ,with figures. I have said it several times, JOHESU are hypocrites, Their sense of judgement is biased. Its unfortunate.

OgaInnocent:
Well documented.factual ,with figures. I have said it several times, JOHESU are hypocrites, Their sense of judgement is biased. Its unfortunate.

said the " biochemist".
<Who swore that he is neither a JOHESU nor NMA member>.
Whose every post on this saga has never quiver as he shamelessly lie about who he is to drive home a wacked biased and unprofessional point.

Mt Biochemist... We are watching...

Contrary to what some of our selfish leaders in NMA are trying to make us believe, I'm glad some of us doctors have seen and experienced the truth about global best practice ... To get the respect we deserve, we must earn it, not cajole others for it. We need to rise above petty tirades to save our ailing health sector.
Revisiting The NMA Strike -*
The Candid Opinion Of A UK-Based Doctor
By *Dr. Ijabla Raymond*
Although I practise abroad, I should point out
that this strike affects me too. My family and
friends all live in Nigeria.
I feel compelled to write on this subject
because of its seriousness and the dearth of
objective analyses on our social media. It is
an emotive subject for both *NMA* and
*JOHESU* members, and I can understand
why punches fly around, but both parties must
rise above petty and emotional considerations
if we are to find a way forward.
For clarification purposes, the *NMA*
represents medical doctors whilst *JOHESU*
is a union of all health workers who are not
doctors.
The NMA has a list of *24 demands* but I will
limit myself to the most contentious ones. At
this stage, it is probably best that I introduce
myself. _*I am medical doctor of Nigerian
heritage practising in the UK.*_
*WHO SHOULD HEAD THE HOSPITAL*
There is no contention – the medical doctor is
the head of the *clinical team.* He/she leads
the ward rounds, clinics, surgical operations,
multidisciplinary meetings and so on because
the ultimate and final responsibility for patient
care rests in his/her hands.
The headship of the hospital is a different
matter. This is an *administrative* office,
which needs not be occupied by a medical
doctor. This job is better in the hands of
people who have administrative or business
management skills. _This is the case in
countries like the UK, Canada and the US,_
which heavily influence our health system.
Therefore, it is difficult to reason with the
NMA why this job should be the exclusive
right of medical doctors.
*NON-MEDICAL CONSULTANTS*
The doctor-patient ratio in Nigeria is
_dangerously low._ In my view, the roles of
non-medical professionals such as nurses,
physiotherapists, pharmacists etc need to
expand to cope with the demands on doctors.
It is important that this is done in a _safe
way_ by providing the appropriate level of
training for these individuals. *This is the case
in countries such as the UK, Canada and the
US where consultant nurses, pharmacists etc
have existed for a few decades now.* I do not
see any problem with non-medical consultants
as long as these individuals are appropriately
trained and can practise both competently and
safely within an *agreed framework* . These
professionals have separate (but
complimentary) job descriptions and their
roles are not designed to replace or dispense
with the services of the doctor. If this
arrangement enhances patient care, then
where is the problem with it? The NMA needs
to demonstrate to the public and to the
government how the creation of these non-
medical consultant positions will adversely
affect patient care, otherwise, its demands will
be perceived as obstructing the professional
development of JOHESU members, and I don’t
think this is helpful to anybody.
*HAZARD ALLOWANCE*
The types of hazard and the level to which
healthcare workers are exposed vary
considerably and depend on the type of job
they do. For instance, psychiatrists are hardly
exposed to body fluids and their risks for
contracting diseases like HIV and hepatitis are
much less than for a theatre scrub nurse. The
risk of physical assault by a patient is higher
for a psychiatrist than for a surgeon. And
because psychiatric nurses spend more time
with patients, their risks of assault are
arguably higher than those of consultant
psychiatrists.
The people who work in radiology
departments such as radiologists,
radiographers, nurses, porters and so on have
greater exposure to radioactive materials than
everyone else in the hospital.
The current health hazard allowance of
N5,000 is unconscionable – it needs to
increase. However, I think it is imperative to
get an independent risk assessor for impartial
advice.
*MISCELLANEOUS*
I have read far too many emotional arguments
on these issues and very little of an objective
discourse. It is important that I draw your
attention to a few of these.
What has become obvious is the lack of
understanding of the *concept of teamwork* .
There is a pervasive notion among doctors
that the other healthcare workers are there to
serve them. JOHESU members think that
doctors have become too conceited for their
own good and are determined to put them in
their “places”. *The most important person in
the hospital is the patient* – it is *not* the
_doctor_ , _nurse_ , _pharmacist_ or
_laboratory scientist_ or anyone else. Every
team member is important and must be
respected, including the people who do the
least clinical jobs like cleaning. I don’t
imagine that any hospital will remain open for
longer than a week if its cleaners went on
strike and dirt was allowed to accumulate to
the point where it constitutes a health risk.
I have heard so many anecdotal accounts of
nurses not joining doctors on ward rounds or
pharmacists altering prescriptions without first
discussing these with the prescribing doctors
or laboratory scientist slapping doctors; and
these accounts are being given as reasons
why doctors must continue to head hospitals.
These are *disciplinary matters,* which should
be managed according to existing procedures.
These excuses are emotional and should not
be used to block the professional development
of others.
The other reason I have heard doctors give for
not wanting our non-medical colleagues to
bear the "consultant" title is the fear that
patients will confuse them or anybody else in
a white-coat for a doctor and give such people
an excuse for autonomous practice.
This reason is *not good enough* because
this problem can be solved by wearing names
badges and/or colour coded uniforms. Also
health professionals should introduce
themselves to patients at the start of
consultations. But more significantly, this can
be an issue of regulation - any one found to
be (criminally) practising over and beyond
their job description, competence level or
professional registration becomes liable to
disciplinary procedures.
Our health system suffers from poor
regulation. This is why anyone can open a
chemist and dole out antibiotics
indiscriminately. It is the reason doctors are
scared that consultant pharmacists, nurses
and physiotherapists will steal their patients.
But it is also the reason why doctors may
recommend an operation to a patient where
none is necessary just so they can charge
more. This is a problem that is in urgent need
of attention.
I hope that this something both NMA &
JOHESU will flag up in the near future.
Another recurrent theme in these debates is
the abuse of junior doctors by both medical
and non-medical staff, which appears to be
endemic. There is a consistent narrative of
junior doctors being asked to do other
people’s jobs such as collecting blood from
blood banks, taking samples to laboratories
etc. In extreme cases, these doctors are asked
to undertake non-clinical tasks by more senior
doctors. This is simply unacceptable! I think it
is fair to place the blame for this at the hands
of consultants who are supposed to be
responsible for junior doctors. But this in
itself is not a good argument for blocking
JOHESU members from becoming consultants
in their specialties or for stopping them from
heading hospitals if they have the right
qualifications.
I am concerned that the NMA is losing public
sympathy. Increasingly, I hear people describe
doctors as selfish and heartless. This is very
sad and rather unfortunate. They say doctors
do not have any motivation to end the strike
because patients are forced to pay exorbitant
fees to them in their private hospitals. Those
patients who cannot afford these fees are left
to suffer or die. If the NMA has made any
efforts to change this public perception, then
these do not appear to have been effective.
*CONCLUSION*
The current strategy (i.e., recurrent strikes) is
not working. Over the last decade or two, the
NMA and non-medical health workers (more
recently represented by JOHESU) have taken
turns to go on strikes. Perhaps, it is time for
both parties to sit together, talk to each other
and resolve these contentious issues once
and for all. _It’s pointless for the government
to enter into agreements with one party
knowing fully well that the other party will ask
for a reversal of those agreements._
I think the time has come to incorporate
Ethics, Teamwork and Communications into
undergraduate curricula. The various online
comments I have read from medical and non-
medical colleagues show that whilst many
easily mouth off "team work", a practical
understanding of what this means is lacking.
Disciplinary procedures are there for a reason.
They must be followed when necessary.
Although I practise abroad, I should point out
that this strike affects me too. My family and
friends all live in Nigeria. And who says I am
not planning to come home to practise?
Lastly, we must all be mindful of our own
mortality. Most of us will be ill someday.
And when this happens, the only thing that
will matter to us is to be looked after by
caring and competent health-workers
regardless of their individual specialisation.
We can create that environment if we forget
our individual egos and work as a team.
*Ijabla Raymond,* a medical doctor of
Nigerian heritage writes from the UK. Contact:
_ijabla.raymond@facebook.com._

JoannaSedley:
said the " biochemist".
<Who swore that he is neither a JOHESU nor NMA member>.
Whose every post on this saga has never quiver as he shamelessly lie about who he is to drive home a wacked biased and unprofessional point.

Mt Biochemist... We are watching...

Because I'm not supporting your evil demands.

fitzfrankses7:
Contrary to what some of our selfish leaders in NMA are trying to make us believe, I'm glad some of us doctors have seen and experienced the truth about global best practice ... To get the respect we deserve, we must earn it, not cajole others for it. We need to rise above petty tirades to save our ailing health sector.
Revisiting The NMA Strike -*
The Candid Opinion Of A UK-Based Doctor
By *Dr. Ijabla Raymond*
Although I practise abroad, I should point out
that this strike affects me too. My family and
friends all live in Nigeria.
I feel compelled to write on this subject
because of its seriousness and the dearth of
objective analyses on our social media. It is
an emotive subject for both *NMA* and
*JOHESU* members, and I can understand
why punches fly around, but both parties must
rise above petty and emotional considerations
if we are to find a way forward.
For clarification purposes, the *NMA*
represents medical doctors whilst *JOHESU*
is a union of all health workers who are not
doctors.
The NMA has a list of *24 demands* but I will
limit myself to the most contentious ones. At
this stage, it is probably best that I introduce
myself. _*I am medical doctor of Nigerian
heritage practising in the UK.*_
*WHO SHOULD HEAD THE HOSPITAL*
There is no contention – the medical doctor is
the head of the *clinical team.* He/she leads
the ward rounds, clinics, surgical operations,
multidisciplinary meetings and so on because
the ultimate and final responsibility for patient
care rests in his/her hands.
The headship of the hospital is a different
matter. This is an *administrative* office,
which needs not be occupied by a medical
doctor. This job is better in the hands of
people who have administrative or business
management skills. _This is the case in
countries like the UK, Canada and the US,_
which heavily influence our health system.
Therefore, it is difficult to reason with the
NMA why this job should be the exclusive
right of medical doctors.
*NON-MEDICAL CONSULTANTS*
The doctor-patient ratio in Nigeria is
_dangerously low._ In my view, the roles of
non-medical professionals such as nurses,
physiotherapists, pharmacists etc need to
expand to cope with the demands on doctors.
It is important that this is done in a _safe
way_ by providing the appropriate level of
training for these individuals. *This is the case
in countries such as the UK, Canada and the
US where consultant nurses, pharmacists etc
have existed for a few decades now.* I do not
see any problem with non-medical consultants
as long as these individuals are appropriately
trained and can practise both competently and
safely within an *agreed framework* . These
professionals have separate (but
complimentary) job descriptions and their
roles are not designed to replace or dispense
with the services of the doctor. If this
arrangement enhances patient care, then
where is the problem with it? The NMA needs
to demonstrate to the public and to the
government how the creation of these non-
medical consultant positions will adversely
affect patient care, otherwise, its demands will
be perceived as obstructing the professional
development of JOHESU members, and I don’t
think this is helpful to anybody.
*HAZARD ALLOWANCE*
The types of hazard and the level to which
healthcare workers are exposed vary
considerably and depend on the type of job
they do. For instance, psychiatrists are hardly
exposed to body fluids and their risks for
contracting diseases like HIV and hepatitis are
much less than for a theatre scrub nurse. The
risk of physical assault by a patient is higher
for a psychiatrist than for a surgeon. And
because psychiatric nurses spend more time
with patients, their risks of assault are
arguably higher than those of consultant
psychiatrists.
The people who work in radiology
departments such as radiologists,
radiographers, nurses, porters and so on have
greater exposure to radioactive materials than
everyone else in the hospital.
The current health hazard allowance of
N5,000 is unconscionable – it needs to
increase. However, I think it is imperative to
get an independent risk assessor for impartial
advice.
*MISCELLANEOUS*
I have read far too many emotional arguments
on these issues and very little of an objective
discourse. It is important that I draw your
attention to a few of these.
What has become obvious is the lack of
understanding of the *concept of teamwork* .
There is a pervasive notion among doctors
that the other healthcare workers are there to
serve them. JOHESU members think that
doctors have become too conceited for their
own good and are determined to put them in
their “places”. *The most important person in
the hospital is the patient* – it is *not* the
_doctor_ , _nurse_ , _pharmacist_ or
_laboratory scientist_ or anyone else. Every
team member is important and must be
respected, including the people who do the
least clinical jobs like cleaning. I don’t
imagine that any hospital will remain open for
longer than a week if its cleaners went on
strike and dirt was allowed to accumulate to
the point where it constitutes a health risk.
I have heard so many anecdotal accounts of
nurses not joining doctors on ward rounds or
pharmacists altering prescriptions without first
discussing these with the prescribing doctors
or laboratory scientist slapping doctors; and
these accounts are being given as reasons
why doctors must continue to head hospitals.
These are *disciplinary matters,* which should
be managed according to existing procedures.
These excuses are emotional and should not
be used to block the professional development
of others.
The other reason I have heard doctors give for
not wanting our non-medical colleagues to
bear the "consultant" title is the fear that
patients will confuse them or anybody else in
a white-coat for a doctor and give such people
an excuse for autonomous practice.
This reason is *not good enough* because
this problem can be solved by wearing names
badges and/or colour coded uniforms. Also
health professionals should introduce
themselves to patients at the start of
consultations. But more significantly, this can
be an issue of regulation - any one found to
be (criminally) practising over and beyond
their job description, competence level or
professional registration becomes liable to
disciplinary procedures.
Our health system suffers from poor
regulation. This is why anyone can open a
chemist and dole out antibiotics
indiscriminately. It is the reason doctors are
scared that consultant pharmacists, nurses
and physiotherapists will steal their patients.
But it is also the reason why doctors may
recommend an operation to a patient where
none is necessary just so they can charge
more. This is a problem that is in urgent need
of attention.
I hope that this something both NMA &
JOHESU will flag up in the near future.
Another recurrent theme in these debates is
the abuse of junior doctors by both medical
and non-medical staff, which appears to be
endemic. There is a consistent narrative of
junior doctors being asked to do other
people’s jobs such as collecting blood from
blood banks, taking samples to laboratories
etc. In extreme cases, these doctors are asked
to undertake non-clinical tasks by more senior
doctors. This is simply unacceptable! I think it
is fair to place the blame for this at the hands
of consultants who are supposed to be
responsible for junior doctors. But this in
itself is not a good argument for blocking
JOHESU members from becoming consultants
in their specialties or for stopping them from
heading hospitals if they have the right
qualifications.
I am concerned that the NMA is losing public
sympathy. Increasingly, I hear people describe
doctors as selfish and heartless. This is very
sad and rather unfortunate. They say doctors
do not have any motivation to end the strike
because patients are forced to pay exorbitant
fees to them in their private hospitals. Those
patients who cannot afford these fees are left
to suffer or die. If the NMA has made any
efforts to change this public perception, then
these do not appear to have been effective.
*CONCLUSION*
The current strategy (i.e., recurrent strikes) is
not working. Over the last decade or two, the
NMA and non-medical health workers (more
recently represented by JOHESU) have taken
turns to go on strikes. Perhaps, it is time for
both parties to sit together, talk to each other
and resolve these contentious issues once
and for all. _It’s pointless for the government
to enter into agreements with one party
knowing fully well that the other party will ask
for a reversal of those agreements._
I think the time has come to incorporate
Ethics, Teamwork and Communications into
undergraduate curricula. The various online
comments I have read from medical and non-
medical colleagues show that whilst many
easily mouth off "team work", a practical
understanding of what this means is lacking.
Disciplinary procedures are there for a reason.
They must be followed when necessary.
Although I practise abroad, I should point out
that this strike affects me too. My family and
friends all live in Nigeria. And who says I am
not planning to come home to practise?
Lastly, we must all be mindful of our own
mortality. Most of us will be ill someday.
And when this happens, the only thing that
will matter to us is to be looked after by
caring and competent health-workers
regardless of their individual specialisation.
We can create that environment if we forget
our individual egos and work as a team.
*Ijabla Raymond,* a medical doctor of
Nigerian heritage writes from the UK. Contact:
_ijabla.raymond@facebook.com._

I agree with :
HOSPITAL MGT
HAZARD ALLOWANCE

I disagree:
With NON MEDICAL CONSULTANTS

Nigeria is a country where a med lab Scientist prefers to be adressed as a doc than who he is. This is not UK where there is law and self worth. In UK a nurse cannot take it from you calling him a doctor. A med lab Scientist cannot allow you call him a doc. They want you to call them who they are, they don't want you doc. The reverse is the case in Nigeria.


I'm telling about a Nigeria where a med lab Scientist who operates a private lab gives admits patients and give in patient care, just because the patient tested positive to malaria Parasite. It is maddening. Then imagine, when you allow these same people who want to be doctors by all means to become CONSULTANTS... my dear, you have killed the system...you will not understand what doctors are preventing until it happens. This is not UK pls. If you claim your family and friends are in Nigeria, and u r wishing for a JOHESUite to be made consultant, then pray they do not fall sick, or be ready for the unthinkable.

Secondly, that the doctor - patient ratio in Nigeria is low should not be a yardstick to convert a non-doctor to a doctor. You should rather root for more medical graduates and more medical schools and more quota. This is where your Hypocrisy came to limelight and puts your being a doctor in doubt. That we do not have enough pilots is not enough reason to convert an air hostess to a pilot. That we do not have enough Rev Fathers is not a necessity to convert a catechist to a rev father.

A word is enough for the wise.

OgaInnocent:


I agree with :
HOSPITAL MGT
HAZARD ALLOWANCE

I disagree:
With NON MEDICAL CONSULTANTS

Nigeria is a country where a med lab Scientist prefers to be adressed as a doc than who he is. This is not UK where there is law and self worth. In UK a nurse cannot take it from you calling him a doctor. A med lab Scientist cannot allow you call him a doc. They want you to call them who they are, they don't want you doc. The reverse is the case in Nigeria.


I'm telling about a Nigeria where a med lab Scientist who operates a private lab gives admits patients and give in patient care, just because the patient tested positive to malaria Parasite. It is maddening. Then imagine, when you allow these same people who want to be doctors by all means to become CONSULTANTS... my dear, you have killed the system...you will not understand what doctors are preventing until it happens. This is not UK pls. If you claim your family and friends are in Nigeria, and u r wishing for a JOHESUite to be made consultant, then pray they do not fall sick, or be ready for the unthinkable.

Secondly, that the doctor - patient ratio in Nigeria is low should not be a yardstick to convert a non-doctor to a doctor. You should rather root for more medical graduates and more medical schools and more quota. This is where your Hypocrisy came to limelight and puts your being a doctor in doubt. That we do not have enough pilots is not enough reason to convert an air hostess to a pilot. That we do not have enough Rev Fathers is not a necessity to convert a catechist to a rev father.

A word is enough for the wise.

Mr
are you sure you read and digested this intelligent submission by a doctor who has seen light and wanted our failing and backward sector to be rejig to the international best practices. Pls if your comprehension failed you, you should have culled the help of literate person around you to read the article again and then make it plain in the language that you will understand. For your information, many states like Lagos, yobe, sokoto have agreed to the demand of JOHESU with Lagos taking the lead in appointing a consultant pharmacist. You made mention of a professional going beyond his scope but this concern was quietly treated when the fair minded doctor recommended disciplinary measures in case of any professions including physician goes beyond their scope of practice as stated in the law. Just as the great Ikemba once said: "Having a dialogue with my country men is like having a dialogue with the deaf; it requires a great deal of repetition, a great deal of shouting and a great deal of gesticulation. In spite of all these efforts, you still run the risk of being misunderstood". You are simply daft, deaf or arrogant. Be ready to accept this new dawn or better still prepare to hang self.
A word is enough for the wise

Thanks18:


Mr
are you sure you read and digested this intelligent submission by a doctor who has seen light and wanted our failing and backward sector to be rejig to the international best practices. Pls if your comprehension failed you, you should have culled the help of literate person around you to read the article again and then make it plain in the language that you will understand. For your information, many states like Lagos, yobe, sokoto have agreed to the demand of JOHESU with Lagos taking the lead in appointing a consultant pharmacist. You made mention of a professional going beyond his scope but this concern was quietly treated when the fair minded doctor recommended disciplinary measures in case of any professions including physician goes beyond their scope of practice as stated in the law. Just as the great Ikemba once said: "Having a dialogue with my country men is like having a dialogue with the deaf; it requires a great deal of repetition, a great deal of shouting and a great deal of gesticulation. In spite of all these efforts, you still run the risk of being misunderstood". You are simply daft, deaf or arrogant. Be ready to accept this new dawn or better still prepare to hang self.
A word is enough for the wise

?
If you are sick, meet consultant nurse etcDo Do not meet doctor.

joyandfaith:
?
If you are sick, meet consultant nurse etcDo Do not meet doctor.

If the options of seeing a consultant Nurse which is equivalent to specialist nurses in the US is available here in Nigeria, then why not. After all the US healthcare system we love to quote has Nurse practitioners bridging the gaps. They consult, diagnose, prescribe and perform specialized medical procedures depending on their area of specialty.
After all many Nigerians have been going to their private nurses in their various clinics for treatments and it won't be a bad idea to improve their skills and make laws that will enable them work to improve our global health indices.

Below is an extract from UK where our President always rant to for check up.
[b]UK NMC APPROVED NEW STANDARD FOR NURSES TO ENABLE THEM PRESCRIBE The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has today launched ‘ambitious’ new standards of skills and knowledge for UK nurses, including allowing graduates to train as prescribers immediately, as opposed to three years postgraduation.
The regulator has also introduced enhanced
education standards to ‘modernise’ the way student nurses are trained.
The new standards have been developed by the NMC alongside nurses, students, educators, healthcare professionals, charities and patient groups from across the UK over the past two years.
Under the new standards, students will now be supported by supervisors and assessors in both practice and academic settings.
The NMC introduced policy earlier this year, which states that all student nurses will be trained in the same set of procedures and communication skills, regardless of their field of practice.
The regulator also removed the cap on the number of hours trainees can spend on simulation activities as opposed to practical training.
The new standards will give nurses a greater understanding across all four fields of practice, the NMC said, as well as greater responsibilities in public health.
Graduate nurses will now be given the option to train as prescribers immediately after qualifying, rather than having to wait three years.
The NMC will also be removing its standards for medicines management and adopting the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) competency framework for prescribers.
It will also work with the RPS to produce ‘consistent guidance’ for all health and social care professionals.
‘Our new standards represent a huge leap forward. They raise the bar for the next generation of nurses and not only match the demands of the role but the ambition of the profession,' said Jackie Smith, NMC chief executive and registrar.
‘We’ve also overhauled the way universities train nurses and midwives. They’ll be given more flexibility to harness new ways of working and embrace technology so they can equip the nurses and midwives of tomorrow with the skills they need to deliver world class care for years to come.’
Nurses are expected to begin training against the new standards from January 2019.
‘We’re planning to start the approval process for programmes delivering these new standards later this year. From 28 January 2019 all approvals will be made against these new standards,’ the NMC said.
[/b]Google will put more light on this

JoannaSedley:
If the options of seeing a consultant Nurse which is equivalent to specialist nurses in the US is available here in Nigeria, then why not. After all the US healthcare system we love to quote has Nurse practitioners bridging the gaps. They consult, diagnose, prescribe and perform specialized medical procedures depending on their area of specialty.
After all many Nigerians have been going to their private nurses in their various clinics for treatments and it won't be a bad idea to improve their skills and make laws that will enable them work to improve our global health indices.

Below is an extract from UK where our President always rant to for check up.
[b]UK NMC APPROVED NEW STANDARD FOR NURSES TO ENABLE THEM PRESCRIBE The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has today launched ‘ambitious’ new standards of skills and knowledge for UK nurses, including allowing graduates to train as prescribers immediately, as opposed to three years postgraduation.
The regulator has also introduced enhanced
education standards to ‘modernise’ the way student nurses are trained.
The new standards have been developed by the NMC alongside nurses, students, educators, healthcare professionals, charities and patient groups from across the UK over the past two years.
Under the new standards, students will now be supported by supervisors and assessors in both practice and academic settings.
The NMC introduced policy earlier this year, which states that all student nurses will be trained in the same set of procedures and communication skills, regardless of their field of practice.
The regulator also removed the cap on the number of hours trainees can spend on simulation activities as opposed to practical training.
The new standards will give nurses a greater understanding across all four fields of practice, the NMC said, as well as greater responsibilities in public health.
Graduate nurses will now be given the option to train as prescribers immediately after qualifying, rather than having to wait three years.
The NMC will also be removing its standards for medicines management and adopting the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) competency framework for prescribers.
It will also work with the RPS to produce ‘consistent guidance’ for all health and social care professionals.
‘Our new standards represent a huge leap forward. They raise the bar for the next generation of nurses and not only match the demands of the role but the ambition of the profession,' said Jackie Smith, NMC chief executive and registrar.
‘We’ve also overhauled the way universities train nurses and midwives. They’ll be given more flexibility to harness new ways of working and embrace technology so they can equip the nurses and midwives of tomorrow with the skills they need to deliver world class care for years to come.’
Nurses are expected to begin training against the new standards from January 2019.
‘We’re planning to start the approval process for programmes delivering these new standards later this year. From 28 January 2019 all approvals will be made against these new standards,’ the NMC said.
[/b]Google will put more light on this

joyandfaith:
?
If you are sick, meet consultant nurse etcDo Do not meet doctor.

JoannaSedley:
If the options of seeing a consultant Nurse which is equivalent to specialist nurses in the US is available here in Nigeria, then why not. After all the US healthcare system we love to quote has Nurse practitioners bridging the gaps. They consult, diagnose, prescribe and perform specialized medical procedures depending on their area of specialty.
After all many Nigerians have been going to their private nurses in their various clinics for treatments and it won't be a bad idea to improve their skills and make laws that will enable them work to improve our global health indices.

Below is an extract from UK where our President always rant to for check up.
[b]UK NMC APPROVED NEW STANDARD FOR NURSES TO ENABLE THEM PRESCRIBE The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has today launched ‘ambitious’ new standards of skills and knowledge for UK nurses, including allowing graduates to train as prescribers immediately, as opposed to three years postgraduation.
The regulator has also introduced enhanced
education standards to ‘modernise’ the way student nurses are trained.
The new standards have been developed by the NMC alongside nurses, students, educators, healthcare professionals, charities and patient groups from across the UK over the past two years.
Under the new standards, students will now be supported by supervisors and assessors in both practice and academic settings.
The NMC introduced policy earlier this year, which states that all student nurses will be trained in the same set of procedures and communication skills, regardless of their field of practice.
The regulator also removed the cap on the number of hours trainees can spend on simulation activities as opposed to practical training.
The new standards will give nurses a greater understanding across all four fields of practice, the NMC said, as well as greater responsibilities in public health.
Graduate nurses will now be given the option to train as prescribers immediately after qualifying, rather than having to wait three years.
The NMC will also be removing its standards for medicines management and adopting the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) competency framework for prescribers.
It will also work with the RPS to produce ‘consistent guidance’ for all health and social care professionals.
‘Our new standards represent a huge leap forward. They raise the bar for the next generation of nurses and not only match the demands of the role but the ambition of the profession,' said Jackie Smith, NMC chief executive and registrar.
‘We’ve also overhauled the way universities train nurses and midwives. They’ll be given more flexibility to harness new ways of working and embrace technology so they can equip the nurses and midwives of tomorrow with the skills they need to deliver world class care for years to come.’
Nurses are expected to begin training against the new standards from January 2019.
‘We’re planning to start the approval process for programmes delivering these new standards later this year. From 28 January 2019 all approvals will be made against these new standards,’ the NMC said.
[/b]Google will put more light on this

I didn't bother replying the rants of Joy & Faith but since you generously did by this enlightening presentation on nursing practice, I hope understanding will not fail her.

Thanks18:


I didn't bother replying the rants of Joy & Faith but since you generously did by this enlightening presentation on nursing practice, I hope understanding will not fail her.

Thank sir.
Their level of misinformation is mindboggling.

Thanks18:


Mr
are you sure you read and digested this intelligent submission by a doctor who has seen light and wanted our failing and backward sector to be rejig to the international best practices. Pls if your comprehension failed you, you should have culled the help of literate person around you to read the article again and then make it plain in the language that you will understand. For your information, many states like Lagos, yobe, sokoto have agreed to the demand of JOHESU with Lagos taking the lead in appointing a consultant pharmacist. You made mention of a professional going beyond his scope but this concern was quietly treated when the fair minded doctor recommended disciplinary measures in case of any professions including physician goes beyond their scope of practice as stated in the law. Just as the great Ikemba once said: "Having a dialogue with my country men is like having a dialogue with the deaf; it requires a great deal of repetition, a great deal of shouting and a great deal of gesticulation. In spite of all these efforts, you still run the risk of being misunderstood". You are simply daft, deaf or arrogant. Be ready to accept this new dawn or better still prepare to hang self.
A word is enough for the wise

You were too harsh on the guy. Why don't you make your point without throwing insult. Very rude of you

OgaInnocent:


I agree with :
HOSPITAL MGT
HAZARD ALLOWANCE

I disagree:
With NON MEDICAL CONSULTANTS

Nigeria is a country where a med lab Scientist prefers to be adressed as a doc than who he is. This is not UK where there is law and self worth. In UK a nurse cannot take it from you calling him a doctor. A med lab Scientist cannot allow you call him a doc. They want you to call them who they are, they don't want you doc. The reverse is the case in Nigeria.


I'm telling about a Nigeria where a med lab Scientist who operates a private lab gives admits patients and give in patient care, just because the patient tested positive to malaria Parasite. It is maddening. Then imagine, when you allow these same people who want to be doctors by all means to become CONSULTANTS... my dear, you have killed the system...you will not understand what doctors are preventing until it happens. This is not UK pls. If you claim your family and friends are in Nigeria, and u r wishing for a JOHESUite to be made consultant, then pray they do not fall sick, or be ready for the unthinkable.

Secondly, that the doctor - patient ratio in Nigeria is low should not be a yardstick to convert a non-doctor to a doctor. You should rather root for more medical graduates and more medical schools and more quota. This is where your Hypocrisy came to limelight and puts your being a doctor in doubt. That we do not have enough pilots is not enough reason to convert an air hostess to a pilot. That we do not have enough Rev Fathers is not a necessity to convert a catechist to a rev father.

A word is enough for the wise.

I'm impressed you agree with hospital management and hazard allowance, it proves we still have doctors who know the truth and aren't beguiled by utter self serving sentiments currently pervading our health sector. For this I say congratulations! However, regarding consultancy, (I believe what you mentioned about other health care professionals trying to do the doctor's job as is already seen wouldn't even be talked about if this divide wasn't created years ago) I think you probably didn't fully understand the context that the "consultant"-as applied in medicine has it legal, disciplinary and structured framework that embraces merit & exceptionality while shunning mediocrity- if applied across other health care professionals where it should will do the same and check quackery. A doctor is a doctor, everyone knows that and his importance can never be taken away from him yet he needs to understand that he shouldn't be afraid of others excelling in their roles and job description even if it means deservedly bearing a consultant title. On increasing the number of medical graduates, we both know that MBBS is not an easy course and that the number that came out are far lesser than those that got in because of its intellectually demanding nature. Now would you rather we lower training standards and churn out multitude of half baked medics because we want to increase our doctor to patient ratio? Your guess is as good as mine!

fitzfrankses7:


I'm impressed you agree with hospital management and hazard allowance, it proves we still have doctors who know the truth and aren't beguiled by utter self serving sentiments currently pervading our health sector. For this I say congratulations! However, regarding consultancy, (I believe what you mentioned about other health care professionals trying to do the doctor's job as is already seen wouldn't even be talked about if this divide wasn't created years ago) I think you probably didn't fully understand the context that the "consultant"-as applied in medicine has it legal, disciplinary and structured framework that embraces merit & exceptionality while shunning mediocrity- if applied across other health care professionals where it should will do the same and check quackery. A doctor is a doctor, everyone knows that and his importance can never be taken away from him yet he needs to understand that he shouldn't be afraid of others excelling in their roles and job description even if it means deservedly bearing a consultant title. On increasing the number of medical graduates, we both know that MBBS is not an easy course and that the number that came out are far lesser than those that got in because of its intellectually demanding nature. Now would you rather we lower training standards and churn out multitude of half baked medics because we want to increase our doctor to patient ratio? Your guess is as good as mine!

Stop lying to the public, you are not a Doctor. The way Johesu members claim Doctor is shameful and pathetic.

jaychubi:
Spot on from NMA

Juhesu are inferior hospital support staff n must obey d directives of doctors

Juhesu can't become doctors from back door they shld go back to school if they want to be treated as doctors.

What juhesu receive currently is even too much considering d economy of Nigeria

Govt shld fire n replace juhesu members if they don't want to work, foolish association. I stand with doctors

Ode ni e.... You be mumu

fitzfrankses7:


I'm impressed you agree with hospital management and hazard allowance, it proves we still have doctors who know the truth and aren't beguiled by utter self serving sentiments currently pervading our health sector. For this I say congratulations! However, regarding consultancy, (I believe what you mentioned about other health care professionals trying to do the doctor's job as is already seen wouldn't even be talked about if this divide wasn't created years ago) I think you probably didn't fully understand the context that the "consultant"-as applied in medicine has it legal, disciplinary and structured framework that embraces merit & exceptionality while shunning mediocrity- if applied across other health care professionals where it should will do the same and check quackery. A doctor is a doctor, everyone knows that and his importance can never be taken away from him yet he needs to understand that he shouldn't be afraid of others excelling in their roles and job description even if it means deservedly bearing a consultant title. On increasing the number of medical graduates, we both know that MBBS is not an easy course and that the number that came out are far lesser than those that got in because of its intellectually demanding nature. Now would you rather we lower training standards and churn out multitude of half baked medics because we want to increase our doctor to patient ratio? Your guess is as good as mine!

Thank you for responding. No ,I wouldn't rather we lower the standard of training. Neither do I subscribe to making non-doctors doctors b/c of low doctor-patient ratio.

MrBigiman:


Stop lying to the public, you are not a Doctor. The way Johesu members claim Doctor is shameful and pathetic.

Your exclusive title is 'physician'. The word 'doctor' was derived from a Latin word 'docere' which mean to teach, NOT TO TREAT. You adopted it from philosophers and teachers of the old. You don't own an exclusive right to that title.

Any professional with the proper qualification has the right to be called 'doctor' within the ambit of his profession as it's done in advanced clime.
In advanced climes.
There are doctors of law (Juris.D)
There doctors of nursing practice (DNP)
There are doctors of pharmacy (Pharm.D)
There are doctors of clinical laboratory science (DCLS).
There are doctors of physiotherapy (D.PT)
There are doctors of Naturopathy (NMD
There are doctors of holistic health (HMD)

These are all professional doctorate.

When your colleagues run to those advanced countries seeking greener pastures, your colleagues address them as 'doctors' while struggling to pass USMLE and Plab.

Your exclusive title is 'physician' you don't own the title 'doctor'.

Every Nigerian is not ignorant. Those of us who are not ignorant will shine the light for those who are.

phase1:


Your exclusive title is 'physician'. The word 'doctor' was derived from a Latin word 'docere' which mean to teach, NOT TO TREAT. You adopted it from philosophers and teachers of the old. You don't own an exclusive right to that title.

Therefore any professional has the right to be called 'doctor' within the ambit of his profession as it's done in advanced clime.
In advanced climes.
There are doctors of law (Juris.D)
There doctors of nursing practice (DNP)
There are doctors of pharmacy (Pharm.D)
There are doctors of clinical laboratory science (DCLS).
There are doctors of physiotherapy (D.PT)
There are doctors of Naturopathy (NMD
There are doctors of holistic health (HMD)

These are all professional doctorate.

When your colleagues run to those advanced countries seeking greener pastures, your colleagues address them as 'doctors' while struggling to pass USMLE and Plab.

Your exclusive title is 'physician' you don't own the title 'doctor'.

Every Nigerian is not ignorant. Those of us who are not ignorant will shine the light for those who are.

You are perfectly right. I hope his understanding will not failing him due to arrogance and petty sentiments.

phase1:


Your exclusive title is 'physician'. The word 'doctor' was derived from a Latin word 'docere' which mean to teach, NOT TO TREAT. You adopted it from philosophers and teachers of the old. You don't own an exclusive right to that title.

Therefore any professional has the right to be called 'doctor' within the ambit of his profession as it's done in advanced clime.
In advanced climes.
There are doctors of law (Juris.D)
There doctors of nursing practice (DNP)
There are doctors of pharmacy (Pharm.D)
There are doctors of clinical laboratory science (DCLS).
There are doctors of physiotherapy (D.PT)
There are doctors of Naturopathy (NMD
There are doctors of holistic health (HMD)

These are all professional doctorate.

When your colleagues run to those advanced countries seeking greener pastures, your colleagues address them as 'doctors' while struggling to pass USMLE and Plab.

Your exclusive title is 'physician' you don't own the title 'doctor'.

Every Nigerian is not ignorant. Those of us who are not ignorant will shine the light for those who are.

Your ignorant is repulsive. In time past only physicians, lawyers and clergy had the title "Duceo", meaning to teach, however Germany started PHD being called Doctor and the cascade continues.

In the hospital however, the title Doctor is the exclusive rights of Medics. When a patient says I want to see a Doctor, he means a Medical Doctor. This law has been adopted in the US and UK. In California an excited nurse who just badged a PHD, came to attend to a patient and introduced herself as Doctor and the patient said she felt " embarrassed " and reported to authorities and other health workers were stopped from being addressed as Doctors in the hospital's.

If u are smart enough or have been to foreign climes, pharmacist wear a badge tagged PharmD, Nurses: Nurse, Lab tech/scientist: tech/ scientist, and medical doctors: Doctor. Why do u think they are badged that way smart man.

When I was in Medical School overzealous new optometrist just given D.O started wearing the badge Doctor. The CMD had to release a Memo ordering all optometrist to rebadge their wears to bear Optometrist instead.

There are noble fights and they are unethical fights. No one is stopping u from adding professor to ur title, but in the hospital calling everybody Doctor is simply an Ego trip. Sadly Dieticians are pushing to be called Doctors in Hospitals.

MrBigiman:


Your ignorant is repulsive. In time past only physicians, lawyers and clergy had the title "Duceo", meaning to teach, however Germany started PHD being called Doctor and the cascade continues.

In the hospital however, the title Doctor is the exclusive rights of Medics. When a patient says I want to see a Doctor, he means a Medical Doctor. This law has been adopted in the US and UK. In California an excited nurse who just badged a PHD, came to attend to a patient and introduced herself as Doctor and the patient said she felt " embarrassed " and reported to authorities and other health workers were stopped from being addressed as Doctors in the hospital's.

If u are smart enough or have been to foreign climes, pharmacist wear a badge tagged PharmD, Nurses: Nurse, Lab tech/scientist: tech/ scientist, and medical doctors: Doctor. Why do u think they are badged that way smart man.

When I was in Medical School overzealous new optometrist just given D.O started wearing the badge Doctor. The CMD had to release a Memo ordering all optometrist to rebadge their wears to bear Optometrist instead.

There are noble fights and they are unethical fights. No one is stopping u from adding professor to ur title, but in the hospital calling everybody Doctor is simply



[quote author=MrBigiman post=67892824]

Your ignorant is repulsive. In time past only physicians, lawyers and clergy had the title "Duceo", meaning to teach, however Germany started PHD being called Doctor and the cascade continues.

In the hospital however, the title Doctor is the exclusive rights of Medics. When a patient says I want to see a Doctor, he means a Medical Doctor. This law has been adopted in the US and UK. In California an excited nurse who just badged a PHD, came to attend to a patient and introduced herself as Doctor and the patient said she felt " embarrassed " and reported to authorities and other health workers were stopped from being addressed as Doctors in the hospital's.

If u are smart enough or have been to foreign climes, pharmacist wear a badge tagged PharmD, Nurses: Nurse, Lab tech/scientist: tech/ scientist, and medical doctors: Doctor. Why do u think they are badged that way smart man.

When I was in Medical School overzealous new optometrist just given D.O started wearing the badge Doctor. The CMD had to release a Memo ordering all optometrist to rebadge their wears to bear Optometrist instead.

There are noble fights and they are unethical fights. No one is stopping u from adding professor to ur title, but in the hospital calling everybody Doctor is simply an Ego trip. Sadly Dieticians are pushing to be called Doctors in Hospitals.

At least you agree that the title is not exclusive your preserve. Your exclusive title remains 'physicians'. You depend on the ignorance of people to polish your ego and run down other professionals

Stop the lies. In the US pharmD, DNPs, DMLS, DPTs working in US hospitals are not barred from using the title 'Dr' as long as they put their qualifications behind their names.

Eg Mike Clark MD
John peter PharmD
Lance Lee DMLS
Serah James DNP


These are not academic doctorates (PhD) as you tried to paint. They are professional doctorates just like MD. Even Pakistan, India and Ghana have all started these PharmD and Dmls programs.

Ofcourse what did expect from your CMD when he ordered the Doctor of Optometry not to wear a badge depicting his qualification if not bias as we have always seen in the health sector. Is it not the same health sector where everyone writes professional exams in hospitals but 95% of the promoted candidates are physicians while 97% of other health professionals (who are majority) do not get promoted.

Your political relevance will no longer be dependent on the ignorance of the average Nigerians.

You have not disputed that those professional doctorate don't exist in advanced climes.

[quote author=phase1 post=67893588][/quote]

Watch foreign medical movies if u are unenlightened. Learn how non-medics are designated on the hospital's and the name on their badges. I am not in any argument with u, If u don't want to learn there's no need struggling with ur ignorance. Nigerian degrees are tailored towards the civil service. If the Nigerian hospitals are privitized, would a private investor invest on these appellations u are struggling for? The civil service system will eventually crumble, private Investors St Nicholas, THT, hygiea etc would soon acquire government hospitals, let's see how far the Doctors u are seeking to be called goes. Have a rewarding day.

MrBigiman:


[b]Watch foreign medical movies if u are unenlightened. [/b]Learn how non-medics are designated on the hospital's and the name on their badges. I am not in any argument with u, If u don't want to learn there's no need struggling with ur ignorance. Nigerian degrees are tailored towards the civil service. If the Nigerian hospitals are privitized, would a private investor invest on these appellations u are struggling for? The civil service system will eventually crumble, private Investors St Nicholas, THT, hygiea etc would soon acquire government hospitals, let's see how far the Doctors u are seeking to be called goes. Have a rewarding day.

We are talking about being there in person and MrBigman is talking about foreign movies. I bow out brother cos you lack merit to discuss this very topic. People that have worked there are giving you realife information on how things work in a sane country not what is obtainable in this cesspit where the hospital Is divided between doctors and others.
Visit reddit.com/medicine for enlightenment.
Johnkent, please educate this Nigerian doctor abeg.