Sodiq Ojuroungbe
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has blasted the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria over recent remarks that they described as “unsavoury blackmail and an attempt to emotionally sway public opinion through false rhetoric.”
Reacting to a recent open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu by the ACPN, NARD condemned the pharmacists’ claim that doctors were enjoying “incomprehensible dominance” in the health sector, describing the comment as provocative, divisive, and unbecoming of professionals seeking better healthcare outcomes.
PUNCH Healthwise had reported that ACPN on Tuesday petition President Tinubu, accusing doctors of persistent misuse of strike actions to manipulate public institutions in their favour.
The letter, jointly signed by the National Chairman of the ACPN, Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh, and the National Secretary, Pharm. Omokhafe Ashore, accused medical doctors of weaponising strikes to browbeat the government into implementing decisions that favour their interests, often at the expense of equity and lawful procedure.
The pharmacists argued that most physicians in academia possess fellowships rather than doctoral degrees, yet they continue to undermine standard academic criteria for leadership roles, often through strike threats or outright walkouts.
However, NARD in a counter statement issued by president, Dr. Temitope Osundara and made available to PUNCH Healthwise, said the ACPN’s position was misleading, warning that the language used by the pharmacists bordered on incitement and undermined the collective efforts of health workers to improve patient care.
“It should be very clear to the ACPN that NARD holds no grudges and has not imposed itself as overseer of any cadre. However, we will not hesitate to voice our professional views as key stakeholders, just as community pharmacists also enjoy the right to express theirs,” the NARD president stated.
He warned that the attempt by the pharmacists to label medical doctors as “overpampered civil servants” was both misleading and inflammatory, adding that such expressions “betray the desperation of those pushing for recognition through baseless provocation.”
“To describe Nigerian doctors as an ‘overpampered group’ is both loathsome and pathetic. If truly they meant doctors, then it appears the ACPN may need medication for the pain of jealousy, a condition we’ll gladly help them manage,” the NARD President stated.
Osundara argued that doctors have never invaded the domains of other professionals within the health sector but have rather continued to work with restraint despite repeated verbal attacks and provocations.
According to him, doctors remain fully focused on providing optimal health care to Nigerians, often under difficult conditions.
“Let the records reflect that what we see more often is not medical incursion, but coordinated revolts, media jabs, and policy lobbying aimed at discrediting the contributions of doctors in delivering lifesaving care,” he said.
On the issue of leadership within the health sector, the NARD president referenced multiple international studies, including those led by Florian Kaiser and other research that assessed U.S. hospital systems, which he said consistently show better patient outcomes and hospital performance when medical doctors hold leadership positions.
“Statistics speak for themselves. Physician-led hospitals have proven to deliver lower mortality rates, higher patient satisfaction, and improved operational efficiency. These are objective indicators,” he said.
He added that the crux of any reform or leadership debate in the health sector should always revolve around improving patient outcomes rather than personal ambition or power tussles.
“If we are not talking about how our ideas or advocacy will translate into better outcomes for patients, then we are merely chasing shadows,” he said.
The NARD president further dismissed the claim by the ACPN that physicians are blocking the career progression of pharmacists or other health professionals in hospital settings, saying that such claims have no basis in fact.
“If community pharmacists want a leading role in hospitals, what makes them more eligible than a Health Information Manager who also holds a Bachelor’s degree?” he queried.
He also pointed out that doctors do not lead pharmaceutical companies or head pharmaceutical research teams where pharmacists are most relevant, yet doctors have not raised questions over such arrangements.
“Rather than being fixated on titles and positions, the ACPN should focus on its core responsibilities, including reducing the abuse of prescription-only medications which is now a major public health concern in Nigeria,” he stated.
Osundara also urged the ACPN to contribute more proactively towards expanding Universal Health Coverage rather than trying to gain relevance by tearing down other professionals.
He further noted that NARD has consistently trained doctors and non-doctors alike, including pharmacists, in Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, with the goal of reducing mortality in emergency settings.
Describing the situation of rising drug misuse and mental health deterioration among Nigerian youth as alarming, the NARD president faulted what he called ACPN’s lukewarm attitude towards the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs across Nigeria.
“It is shocking that at a time when our youths are being decimated by dangerous medications accessed freely without prescriptions, the ACPN is more concerned about who becomes the hospital head,” he said.
Osundara warned ACPN to desist from engaging in what he described as emotional blackmail against Nigerian doctors, saying such tactics were both unprofessional and counterproductive.
“The public should not be dragged into unnecessary health-sector politics through misrepresentation and cheap sentiments,” he said.
He also called on the president to ensure that all lingering issues related to doctors’ welfare are resolved promptly, especially the seven-month salary arrears and consequential minimum wage adjustments that have remained outstanding.
“There can be no improved health outcome in any country where health workers’ welfare is neglected,” he stated.
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