ON THE PLOT TO REVERSE THE ALREADY GIVEN EEP FOR POST NYSC MEDICAL LAB. SCIENTISTS

After many years of professional deprivation and injustice, Medical Lab. Scientists(MLS) all over Nigeria heaved a big sigh of relief when soon after the inception of President Buhari’s administration, the Federal Government (FG), through the Head of Civil Service of the Federation(HOCSF) released the much awaited circular approving the implementation of Enhanced Entry Point(EEP) for all MLS. By that circular, the FG brought all Medical Lab Scientists in Nigeria out of more than five decades of professional emasculation, subjugation and unfair treatment compared to their sister health professionals.

The said circular no. HCSF//EIR/CND/S.100 , dated 11^th June, 2015 stated clearly that while the new entry point for post-NYSC Medical Lab Scientists is Conhess 9 step 2, necessary adjustments should be made to maintain relative seniority between entry point MLS and the existing senior MLS already in the civil service. This act of justice was jubilantly celebrated by all MLS in Nigeria. Some even shared their testimonies and gave thanksgiving in church to God for bringing them out of many years of slavery and denial. As at that time, there was no minister of health and the then HOCSF- Mr. Danladi Kifasi, is now retired.

All FG hospitals have since complied with the directive of the circular and have issued adjustment of grade level letters to all MLS in civil service across board. The implementation of the EEP (pay-wise) was promised to be January 2016 when provision for its payment will be made in the national budget.

Then fast-forward to December, 2015 when a dramatic twist to the story occurred soon after the appointment of the new minister of health-Prof. Isaac Adewole and new HOCSF-Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita. A new circular was issued nullifying the previous circular that approved EEP for all post-NYSC MLS. The argument of the new circular was that the EEP affects only MLS who are taken newly into the civil service and should not affect the grade level of other MLS already in the service who are either on Conhess 9 or above by way of promotion.

One is then tempted by the argument of this latest circular to recall that the same EEP was granted to all post-NYSC Pharmacists and Physiotherapists (sister health professionals to MLS) across board many many years ago with relative seniority in service appropriately maintained.

As the situation stands, there seems to be a theory of conspiracy against MLS behind this disheartening move by the office of the HOCS. What will be more disheartening is if the concerned MLS allow the HOCSF to successfully shove down this big injustice and unfair treatment down their throat.

As it stands now, the threat to reverse the already approved EEP for all post-NYSC MLS by office of the HOCSF is INCONCLUSIVE and as MLS all over Nigeria await their fate, they are wondering if they can  still believe in the CHANGE that was promised them and which they have already celebrated.