In a significant development for healthcare in Nigeria, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, the former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), has introduced amendments to a pivotal bill aimed at enhancing the training of pharmacists and other health professionals. This initiative is set to transform the landscape of health education and management by providing comprehensive facilities for postgraduate training, responding to the increasing needs of the profession.

Section 2g of the bill underscores the necessity for advanced training for pharmacists and other health professionals, highlighting the recent approval from the Federal Government (FG) to establish a Consultant cadre in Pharmacy practice. Akintayo emphasizes that just as this cadre will extend to other health professionals, the development of skilled manpower through adequate training procedures is imperative for the evolving healthcare landscape.

Amendments to Section 4 have also been proposed to ensure broader representation within the administrative framework of the healthcare center. Notable changes include the renaming of the title "Director" to "Chief Executive," which will be uniformly applied throughout the bill. The revised section will also feature:

• Two members representing public interest

• One representative from the clinically inclined departments of the center, who must be a Consultant or Head of Department

• A representative from the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH)

• Representatives each from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC)

• A representative each from the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA)

• An additional representative from other health professionals on a rotational basis

These amendments aim to create a broad spectrum of representation, ensuring that the voices of the government, vital stakeholders, professional bodies, and the consuming public are all recognized in the administration of health services.

Section 8(1) further stipulates that the President shall appoint a Chief Executive for the center, emphasizing the need for this leader to be a health professional or an experienced health manager with at least 15 years of experience in a hospital setting. Akintayo advocates for this approach, asserting that international best practices favor leaders who possess strong managerial skills to navigate the complexities of modern healthcare administration. He argues that the Nigerian experience of placing non-managerial professionals in leadership roles has often resulted in systemic failures within health institutions.

These proposed changes reflect a commitment to enhancing the quality of healthcare delivery in Nigeria by fostering a well-trained workforce and ensuring that leadership within health institutions is equipped with the requisite management expertise. The bill, along with its amendments, is poised to set a new standard for health professionals and the operations of health centers nationwide.

As the bill progresses through the legislative process, stakeholders across the health sector are urged to remain engaged in the discussions surrounding these critical reforms.