HealthPlus announces restructuring amid leadership tussle

HealthPlus, a pharmaceutical company, says it has commenced a restructuring programme to improve service delivery and enhance operational efficiency.

Chidi Okoro, the company’s chief transformation officer (CTO), made this known in an address at the opening of the Ozumba Mbadiwe branch, facilitated by new funding provided by the majority investors, Alta Semper Capital.

Okoro said the restructuring programme will boost the company’s presence in various communities across the country.

According to him, the plan will also provide an opportunity for employees who would like to exit and pursue other career aspirations.

“The vision of HealthPlus is to serve customers with excellence and uniqueness that is underscored by offering an integrative approach for total wellness through the use of both medicines and natural remedies. The restructuring will provide an opportunity for us to expand our frontiers in order to provide excellent pharmaceutical care to all Nigerians,” he said.

“We continue to aspire to provide the most outstanding essential pharmacy services in communities and have carved our niche by providing excellent counselling services aimed at educating people on the myriad of available options in obtaining holistic healthcare solutions.

“The restructuring programme will further provide an opportunity for us to maintain disciplined relationships with our valued suppliers, landlords, and service providers. HealthPlus will distinguish itself as the Pharmacy of Choice through the provision of high-quality healthcare products such as medicines, nutritional supplements, natural remedies, home medical equipment, mobility aids and pharmacy services, by certified and well-informed healthcare professionals, in a friendly and hygienic environment.

“With over 70 outlets manned about by 150 pharmacists, with at least one pharmacist dispensing medicines and providing counselling in each outlet, the restructuring programme will enable the company gain competitive advantage against its competitors as the healthcare industry moves slowly into the post-Covid period.”

This development is coming amid a leadership crisis in the company.

Alta Semper Capital, a foreign private equity firm, has been in a tussle with HealthPlus over controlling shares in the Nigerian entity.

The firm initiated multiple attempts to take over the HealthPlus head office, an action which contravenes a November 4 ruling by Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, a justice of the federal high court in Lagos.

Oguntoyinbo had ordered all parties—HealthPlus Limited; HealthPlus Africa Holdings; Ayo Salami; Afsane Jetha; Zacharty Fond; Deji Akinyanju; including Bukky George, CEO of HealthPlus, to maintain status quo pending the determination of the motion before the court.

In February, the house of representatives directed its committee on public petitions to investigate the move by Alta Semper Capital to take over HealthPlus.