For some time now, the Nigerian public health sector has been shut down due to the Doctors' strike. One reason why the Doctors went on strike is the fact that it was recently approved that Nurses and Pharmacists become Consultants. This was purportedly done in line with international best practices. So I went to do some research to ascertain if there are really Consultant Nurses and Pharmacists in the developed countries and what their functions are. I came across this article which I would love to share with you. I believe it sheds some light on the issue. The article was posted on wwwDOTuyocalyaxisDOTcom by Felix Archibong.
The Real Meaning of CMD, Medical Consultant, Consultant Pharmacist & Surgeon General By Dr. Felix Archibong
Consultants and Chief Medical Officers in other Government Hospitals in the Developed World (International best practices/standards).

We do not need to travel far and wide to know what is happening in other parts of the world because the world has become a global village, all thanks to information technology.
The conflict in Nigeria health sector has tugged me to search for what is obtainable on the key warring issues in other developed countries. Ideally the Nigeria Health system format is supposed to be compared with that of the Britain(not the American’s) since Nigeria adopted and is using the British educational/health systems; however reference has been made on American health system in this write up, for obvious reason. I deliberately sourced for all information from current and popular international encyclopedia and/or professional websites not hosted by medical doctors.

Medical/hospital Consultant
The term or title “consultant” is coined from consultation. It is wise to see the standard definitions of medical consultation; which are:
Medical consultation is a formal meeting with a medical doctor for discussion or the seeking of advice….{www.en.m.wikipedia.org/consultation(medical)}.
It is also defined as a procedure whereby, on request by one Physician, another Physician reviews a patient’s medical history, examines the patient and makes recommendation as to care and treatment….. ( www.medical dictionary.freedictionary.com/medical consultation).

In the UK, Republic of Ireland and parts of the commonwealth countries Medical Consultant is the title of a senior hospital-based physician or surgeon who has completed all of his/her specialist training….. {www.en.m.wikipedia.org/consultant (medicine) , www.medicaldictionary.thefreedictionary.com/consultant(medicine),www.gapmedics.co.uk/difference between consultant and a doctor in a hospital }Consultant Pharmacist
In America Pharmacists are broadly grouped into two:
1. Health system pharmacist
2. Consultant pharmacist
The health system pharmacist is hospital-based pharmacist that provides care to patient on healthcare team. They undergo residency training but are not awarded the title of consultant….(www.asph.org).

Consultant Pharmacists are pharmacist that work as private pharmacist for individual elderly persons or is employed to work in old people homes(institute) to enhance quality of care for all old persons. They are non-hospital staff and do not undergo residency training but write preparation/recertification examinations. They are also called senior care pharmacist… (www.ascp.com).

In USA Consultant Nurse is a registered nurse who uses expertise as a healthcare provider and specialized training to consult on medical related legal case. They assist attorneys in reading medical records and understanding medical terminology and healthcare issues to achieve the best results for their client. They are non-hospital staff….(www.en.m.wikipedia.org/nurse consultant)

Chief Medical Director (Office)
This title is used in many countries for the senior government official designated as head of medical services, usually at the national level. He advices and leads a team of medical experts on matters of importance. {www.en.m.wikipedia.org/chief medical officer, medicaldictionary.thefreedictionary.com/chief medical officer,www.ehow.com/chief medical officer, www.gov.uk/government/people/sally-davies}

Surgeon General
In the United States and many areas of the British Commonwealth, this title refers to a physician commissioned by government and entrusted with the public health responsibilities.
In Uk Surgeon General is the senior medical officer of the British Armed Forces… ( www.en.m.wikipedia/surgeon general UK/USA).

Hospital Chief Executive Officer is the highest management position within a hospital in the capitalist countries. He or she is expected to have masters in business Administration, masters in healthcare Administration etc….( in Nigeria such a position is designated as Director of Administration in Teaching Hospitals)……www.degreetree.com/how to become a hospital ceo.

Health Care Professionals are divided into two broad groups:
1. Core Healthcare Professionals
2. Support (Allied) Healthcare Professionals
The core professionals are doctors, nurses and pharmacists….others, except these three, are allied professionals…… (www.wikipedia.org/alliedhealth professions)

[b]I hope this article has shed more light on the role of the Consultant Nurses/pharmacists in the health sector abroad, but our Nigeria counterparts want these non-doctor Consultants to operate in our tertiary hospitals. The year 2014 has been a very bad year for the health sector. Our health sector which is in it's infantile stages is akin to a child that suddenly starts to lose his/her developmental milestones. Healthcare in Nigeria is at par with what obtained in the US/UK in the 60s/70s. Common everyday procedures such as liver biopsies, CT scans and MRIs are a Herculean task over here. Our teaching hospitals have been reduced to the level of Primary health centres because what they mostly do is treat infectious dxs, minor surgeries and deliveries. It is absurd that in 2014 we still travel to other developing countries such as India for transplants and other not so complex surgeries. A country's citizens are supposed to hold their leaders accountable but in Nigeria we sing their praises for minuscule achievements, things which they are supposed to do normally. What the Doctors have asked for is not impossible to do, it just requires willpower on the part of the political class. Doctors are not supposed to go on strike, it is an anathema, the fact that this has happened in our society is an indictment. But If this strike is called off without resolving these issues, in 20 years when I will be 44 years old and an Ob/Gyn with a family, we will still be experiencing strikes for this same reasons. Doctors will still be carrying out surgical operations in our best teaching hospitals with the aid of torchlights and our political class will still be jetting out for the mildest ailment/ medical checkups.

LETS RESOLVE THIS NOW [/b]