The Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations, AHPA, have written to President Muhammadu Buhari, over the composition of the newly inaugurated National Health Reform Committee, headed By Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
The letter signed by JOHESU’s acting National Secretary M.O Ajorutu says it wishes to on behalf of members of JOHESU consisting of about 95% of the public healthcare workforce in Nigeria appreciate the president for the major interventions in the health sector in recent times.
The JOHESU said, however, the composition of the Committee is unacceptable to health
professionals and professionals who are members of JOHESU.
It said typically of the process involved in the sharing of benefit packages, and resources in the health sector, the reformed Committee with over 95% presence of physicians already negates the rights and liberties of the majority of health workers in Nigeria.
The JOHESU noted that the committee of this nature has slots for Director-General, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council but not an agency like NAFDAC regulates all the drugs, medical devices, equipment, chemicals, etc, which are the essential tools and commodities which drive any credible health system.
The JOHESU adds that it observes with consternation that the Unions in the health sector are not included in the committee and The inclusion of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses
and Midwives are only a professional association representation.
The JOHESU queries Further on What is the significance of the reform process if it does not bequeath a legacy of equity To health workers who remain the human resource to reckon with in this reform bid?
It said it is unthinkable that a strategic arm of the health sector like JOHESU is ignored in the reform committee.