‘Stop blackmailing doctors’ — NARD replies ACPN over ‘physician dominance’ claim

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has reacted to claims of ‘physician dominance’ in the country’s health and education sectors.

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) had, in a letter to President Bola Tinubu, condemned the trend, describing it as the “institutionalised marginalisation” of non-physician professionals.

Reacting in a statement on Wednesday, NARD described the ACPN’s claims as inflammatory and misleading.

The doctors said they harbour no animosity towards pharmacists but that they have a right to express opinions on healthcare matters as “essential stakeholders”.

“To also use the word ‘culture of fascism’ as seen in the publication is to indict the government for the cruel use of power within the healthcare system. A statement we think should be withdrawn,” the statement reads.

“The use of the statement ‘incomprehensible dominance of an over-pampered group of civil servants’ is abhorrent and loathsome to whichever group of civil servants they referred to.

“Most definitely not Nigerian Doctors else that will mean ACPN will be needing medication to whatever that is causing them chasm of pain which we will readily provide.

“There has been no incursion into other profession within the health care system by the body of Doctors at local or national level.

“What we have rather seen is revolt, repulsive utterances, statement of attack to Nigerian Doctors positive contributions to health care needs of Nigerians.”

NARD also questioned the push by pharmacists to take up leadership roles in hospitals, wondering what sets them apart from health information managers who hold comparable academic qualifications.

“Doctors do not work as heads in pharmaceutical companies. Rather, the concern of ACPN is on who heads what and who holds what,” the statement reads.

The association urged the ACPN to focus on pressing issues like the rate of exposure to lethal medications and the deteriorating mental health of Nigerian youths.

“It is expected that ACPN will be more intentional in addressing how people access Prescription only drugs,” the statement added.

“Mental Health state of recent especially among the youth in Nigeria is frightening. A call to ACPN to get to work than propagating blackmail.

“Once again we appeal that ACPN should stop appealing to emotional rhetoric or blackmail of Nigerian qualified doctors in an attempt to make the public see them as Anti-Other health professionals.”