Open Letter To The National Service Secretariat Of Ghana And The Pharmacy Council Of Ghana

The Writer

I extend warm greetings to you all on behalf of the Coalition of Intern Pharmacists (COIPHA), especially those who have successfully completed the B. Pharm degree this year 2016.

In light of the regular national service that every graduate is supposed to undertake, we are more than ready to serve the nation. However, for us as pharmacy students, we have an obligation to undertake at least 1500 hours of service in a hospital as a prerequisite to sit for our Ghana Pharmacy Professional Qualifying Examination which is to license us as substantive Pharmacists. Nevertheless, we have always appreciated the consensus reached by NSS and PC which allows us to do our national service to satisfy both institutions.

Without a shred of regret, we wish to register our displeasure at what seems like a ‘rift’ between NSS and PC. Unfortunately, this has become necessary due to the fact that NSS has refused to repost us to our PC posting which is the usual procedure.

Reports indicate that, the refusal to repost us is as a result of delay in release of our postings by PC.

Through no fault of ours, we happen to be the sufferers of the ‘fight’ between the two ‘elephants’.

At this material moment graduate pharmacy students are torn between acknowledging the posting of the NSS so as to receive their monthly allowance and National service certificate at the expense of failing to meet the requirements of the PC which will enable us sit for our license exam or vice-versa. We believe that, this treatment being meted out to us is so unfair as we understand the repercussions of either of the options available.

We are humbly appealing to you to hear our cry. At the end the day, we as essential health care givers have an obligation to help save lives as we contribute our quota to national development. We are counting on your usual cooperation.

Thank you
Coalition of Intern Pharmacists (COIPHA), Coordinator

0209335506