The Lagos state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has rejected the implementation of the Consultant Pharmacy Cadre at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute Metta, and the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, warning that the decision threatens patient care and could trigger industrial unrest.
At an emergency State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held on Thursday, the association expressed disappointment over the implementation of the Cadre at the two hospitals despite the stance of the NMA that no medical institution should initiate such a directive.
NMA described the cadre as one which is “prone to crises and fails to contribute positively to the management of the institution in the pursuit of efficient and effective service delivery”.
The executive council noted that the cadre “provides no clinical value in direct patient care, undermines established medical protocols, and sets a dangerous precedent that is capable of triggering industrial disharmony and eroding the structure of patient-oriented healthcare systems across health institutions in Lagos State and beyond”.
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After a thorough review, the SEC issued a seven-day ultimatum to the medical directors of the hospitals – Ademola Dada and Olugbenga Owoeyeto – to reverse the implementation of the consultant pharmacist role.
The association warned that failure to comply, would result in physicians at the affected institutions embarking on a warning strike.
“The SEC asserts that should this decision remain unaltered upon the expiration of the ultimatum, it encourages the physicians within the affected institutions to initiate a warning strike to emphasise this demand,” the association said in its resolution.
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“The SEC mandates that a subsequent SEC meeting be convened to reassess all actions delineated in point (3) after the stipulated time frame has elapsed.
“The SEC mandates the State Officers Committee (SOC) to convene a press conference within 48 hours following this meeting to address the public regarding the perilous implications of instituting the consultant pharmacy cadre within clinical environments, which jeopardises patient welfare in Lagos state.
“The SEC asserts that the SOC should formally communicate this decision to the National NMA and notify them that, should any of the individuals, Dr. Adedamola Dada or Dr. Olugbenga Owoeye, be considered for any form of award or recognition, such considerations should be suspended until this action has been reversed and resolved.
“The SEC mandates the SOC to draft a correspondence to the federal ministry of health and pertinent stakeholders regarding the inherent dangers of this decision to patient care in Lagos State.
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“The SEC urges the National NMA to engage in a discourse concerning the ramifications of the implementation of the Consultant Pharmacist role at the national level and to undertake the requisite measures to reverse and halt the establishment of this dangerous precedence”.
The association also issued a stern warning to other medical directors and chief medical directors across Lagos state who may be considering similar appointments, adding that it would resist such moves “by every legitimate means necessary.”
