
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, has accused the federal government of allowing physicians to dominate both the health and education sectors.
ACPN made this assertion via a petition addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The petition was signed by ACPN National Chairman, Pharmacist Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh.
The petition was made available to DAILY POST on Wednesday.
Ezeh, in the petition written on behalf of his colleagues, accused the Federal Government under the leadership of Tinubu of repeatedly yielding to what it called the “blackmail tactics” of physician-dominated associations.
Ezeh noted that the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have been subjugating other professional bodies in both the health and education sectors.
He then appealed to Tinubu to, without wasting more time, address the problem.
Ezeh, while speaking further, also charged Tinubu to address what he called disparities in remuneration of workers in both the health and education sectors.
While speaking further, Ezeh warned that national growth and development will become stunted if the federal government does not address the issue on time.
He also said that most of the hospital Chief Executive Officers have been abusing the powers given to them.
He concluded by urging Tinubu to address the problem without wasting more time.
Ezeh, in the petition, said, “Most public sector appointments have strict conditions precedent, which make the appointment lawful. The ineptitude of the FG to succumb to this shameful blackmail leaves a sour taste in the mouth.
“This is McCarthyism at work… a monopolistic stranglehold that subdues every other discipline.
“The CEO punished a Grade Level 17 officer and replaced him with the fourth in line simply for daring to uphold professional standards.
“National growth and development will become stunted if the FG does not wield the big stick. The time to act is now, in the public interest.”
Pharmacists raise alarm over alleged domination of health, education sectors by physicians