Pharm. King-David Ahuchaogu,
Pharm. King-David Ahuchaogu, Secretary General of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria–Young Pharmacists Group (Enugu State chapter) and a resident student of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists, has issued a strong rebuttal to a recent statement by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
In a statement made available to DAILY GAZETTE on Saturday, Ahuchaogu described the association’s remarks against pharmacists, physiotherapists, and optometrists as “mischievous,” “divisive,” and detrimental to the spirit of interprofessional collaboration in the healthcare sector.
In a detailed response titled “Response to the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD),” Ahuchaogu challenged NARD’s opposition to the use of the “Dr” title by non-physician health professionals and their stance on salary relativity, dismissing both as misinformed and misleading.
He argued that the title “Dr.” is not the exclusive preserve of medical doctors, explaining that its origin lies in the Latin word docere – meaning “to teach” and was traditionally reserved for scholars.
“The title ‘Dr.’ can be used by anyone who earns it, whether through an academic degree, a professional doctorate, or even by honorary conferment,” he said.
“Physicians with only MBBS degrees, which are bachelor’s-level qualifications, use the title by convention, not entitlement.”
Ahuchaogu rejected the notion that pharmacists and other professionals are attempting to rival physicians, clarifying that they earn the “Dr.” title legitimately through rigorous professional doctoral programs such as the PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) and OD (Doctor of Optometry), which typically span six years of academic and clinical training.
Addressing salary-related issues, he defended calls for the upward review of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), pointing to a 2009 Memorandum of Understanding between the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Federal Ministry of Health.
The MoU, he explained, stipulates that any increase in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), used for doctors, must be reflected in CONHESS to maintain relativity and fairness.
“This is not about demanding equal pay with doctors,” he stated.
“It’s about ensuring equity and upholding the principle of relativity as agreed upon by all stakeholders.”
Ahuchaogu also condemned NARD’s assertion that only physicians are sought by patients for diagnosis and treatment, calling such a claim dismissive of the broader healthcare team.
“Healthcare is not a solo endeavor,” he said. “Doctors cannot function effectively without pharmacists, laboratory scientists, physiotherapists, and other allied professionals.”
He criticized what he described as NARD’s “disrespectful tone” and use of the term “quackery” to describe certified professionals trained in NUC-accredited institutions and licensed by their respective regulatory bodies.
Taking a swipe at the perceived inconsistency in NARD’s argument, he questioned why Nigerian surgeons, unlike their UK counterparts, still use the “Dr.” title, despite the British tradition of reverting to “Mr.” after surgical training.
“If MBBS holders without doctoral degrees can use the ‘Dr.’ title, how much more professionals who actually complete doctoral-level training?” he asked.
He urged resident doctors to channel their energy into academic growth and professional development, rather than stoking division within the healthcare system.
“NARD members, who are still undergoing training, should concentrate on their studies and refrain from making inflammatory remarks that undermine unity and mutual respect among healthcare professionals.”
Commending the National Universities Commission (NUC) for recognizing professional doctorate degrees, he called on the commission to stand firm against pressure from “distractors,” insisting that Nigeria’s health education and workforce policies must align with global best practices.
“Nigeria is not an island. We must think globally, even as we act locally,” he concluded.
