Pharmacists threaten nationwide strike

The Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN), has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike action, citing continued unresponsiveness of the federal government to their demands and challenges.

They expressed their displeasure over the non-inclusion of pharmacists at the recent meeting between the government and representatives of the different unions in the healthcare sector.

According to National Chairman, AHAPN, Dr. Kingsley Chiedu Amibor and National Secretary, Dr. Hafiz Ola Akande in a statement, the issues include the adjustment to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), payment of arrears of Call Duty Relativity, payment of COVID-19 Hazard Allowance, non-availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) for pharmacists and other healthcare workers (HCWs), withheld April and May 2018 Salary arrears for Pharmacists and some category of healthcare workers.

Others are refusal of government to register AHAPN as an Independent Trade Union, non invitation and inclusion of Pharmacists in Negotiating Team with Government, and restructuring of the healthcare sector for greater efficiency.

They said that the Federal Government in 2014 adjusted the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) table for medical doctors and has since adjusted the CONMESS twice without any adjustment to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) table for pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.

Saying that the federal government still owe them arrears of Call Duty approved since 2014, as well as their COVID-19 enhanced Hazard Allowance since March 2020 he said they written several letters to government on this issue without any positive response yet.

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