Health professionals divide over headship of agency
Sodiq Oyeleke
The rivalry among professionals in the health sector has been discussed before the Osun State House of Assembly, as they disagree over the headship of Primary Healthcare Development Board.
The executive bill on Primary Healthcare Development Board Establishment which is currently undergoing consideration at the committee of the whole has passed through the second reading before the house.
The parliament had subsequently invited professional bodies and other stakeholders in the health sector to secure enlightenment over who should be the Permanent Secretary of the proposed agency and Secretary of the board.
At the interactive session with the professional bodies on Monday, the state Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Mr Tiamiyu Sunmonu recommended that the position should be left open for any professional in the healthcare delivery to occupy.
He said this would give all the relevant professionals in the health sector a sense of belonging.
The Chairman, Nigeria Medical Laboratory Scientist, Mr Wakeel Alade, said the position of Permanent Secretary is a career position which not only medical doctors, but other professional bodies should be allowed to enjoy.
According to him, no professional in the sector can do the work of healthcare service alone without the involvement of other professionals.
On his own, the Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr Suraj Ogunyemi said the position should be left for medical doctors to ensure effective service delivery.
He said in some other states where the law was in practise, it is doctors that head the agency as the Permanent Secretary.
Dr Olatunji Babatunde of the Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria said though, healthcare delivery was teamwork, but the trainings of medical doctors are all encompassing.
He said the position should be occupied by medical doctor, but with public healthcare training.
The Head of Service, Mr Sunday Owoeye, said "It is not enough to possess the required training, but it must be backed up with character and ability to execute the policy of government effectively. The law guiding such appointment in the constitution give room for other professionals to enjoy the same opportunity like medical doctors."
The Speaker, Honourable Najeem Salaam, said the Assembly would aggregate all the views and do justice to the consideration of the bill.
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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