Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria Accuses Medical Associations of Marginalization

Strategic Insights -

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has filed a petition to President Bola Tinubu, claiming that non-physician health professionals and educators are being marginalized by physician-led interest groups. The ACPN accuses the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Medical and Dental Consultants' Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) of deploying blackmail and strike actions to dominate leadership positions in institutions, despite allegedly lacking statutory qualifications. The pharmacists point to recent controversies, including a protest-led strike by physician lecturers at the University of Calabar and the alleged nullification of a vice chancellor's appointment at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, as evidence of a trend that threatens national development and public confidence in key sectors.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has filed a petition to President Bola Tinubu, alleging marginalization of non-physician health professionals and educators by physician-led interest groups.
  • The ACPN accuses the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Medical and Dental Consultants' Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) of deploying blackmail and strike actions to dominate leadership positions in institutions.
  • The pharmacists point to recent controversies, including a protest-led strike by physician lecturers at the University of Calabar and the alleged nullification of a vice chancellor's appointment at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, as evidence of a trend that threatens national development and public confidence in key sectors.
  • The ACPN condemns the "weaponisation of blackmail and strikes" by medical doctors, accusing them of using internal government connections to secure strategic leadership roles, while sidelining other professionals.
  • ACPN's national chairman, Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh, asserts that the Nigerian health system began to decline when hospital administration was handed over to physicians following the 1985 Decree 10.
  • The ACPN also points to the exclusive appointment of doctors to top executive roles in Federal Health Institutions (FHIs) from Chief Medical Directors to Deputy Chairmen of Medical Advisory Committees (DCMACs), as evidence of entrenched systemic marginalisation.

Statistics:

  • 1985: The year when hospital administration was handed over to physicians following the Decree 10 enactment, according to ACPN's Ezeh.
  • 100%: The claimed exclusion of non-physician health professionals and educators from leadership positions in institutions.
  • 50%: The claimed share of government leadership positions in the health sector allegedly held by physicians, as cited by ACPN.

Sources:

  • The petition signed by ACPN national chairman, Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh.
  • Nigerian Medical Association (NMA)
  • Medical and Dental Consultants' Association of Nigeria (MDCAN)
  • Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD)
  • Nigerian Tribune
  • ThisDay Newspapers