In a significant move aimed at improving the welfare of healthcare workers in Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has approved the extension of the retirement age for doctors and other healthcare professionals from 60 to 65 years. The approval was officially announced by Dr. Mannir Bature, the National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.
Dr. Bature highlighted that the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, had been tasked with formally presenting the approval to the Council on Establishment. This presentation, which will go through the Office of the Head of Service, will facilitate the finalisation of the policy. Bature also emphasized that this decision would directly benefit the healthcare sector by addressing long-standing concerns about brain drain and the retention of skilled professionals.
The new retirement policy was discussed during a high-level meeting that included key stakeholders in the health sector, such as the NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu. Other prominent attendees included the leadership of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), and representatives from the Joint Health Sector Unions.
Bature noted that the meeting also served as a platform for discussing various issues affecting the welfare of doctors and healthcare workers in Nigeria. One of the major topics of discussion was the payment of arrears resulting from the adjustment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), which has been delayed. Prof. Pate confirmed that the necessary funds had already been secured, and the disbursement to the beneficiaries would commence soon.
Prof. Pate also revealed that President Tinubu had approved the correction of consequential adjustments for both the CONMESS and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), following the implementation of the new minimum wage. This move is expected to provide much-needed relief to healthcare workers who had been affected by these adjustments.
In addition to addressing salary issues, the meeting also focused on the implementation of new tariffs for healthcare service providers. Dr. Bature stated that this initiative, which was part of a review initiated by the NMA, would especially benefit members of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners and Nurses (ANPMPN). The approval of new tariffs aims to ensure better financial remuneration and long-term sustainability for healthcare services across the country.
The Coordinating Minister expressed his appreciation for the patience and collaboration shown by all stakeholders involved in the discussions. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the welfare of healthcare workers, acknowledging the significant role they play in the country’s healthcare system.
Prof. Pate also emphasized the importance of collaboration in strengthening Nigeria’s health sector, stating that working together would be key to implementing the necessary reforms and improving the overall quality of healthcare in the country. This message of unity and collective effort resonated with all the attendees at the meeting, who renewed their commitment to advocating for the welfare of healthcare workers.
The NMA has been at the forefront of advocating for the increase in the retirement age for healthcare workers, emphasizing that such a policy would help address the ongoing issue of brain drain. According to the NMA, the extension of the retirement age would also improve the transfer of knowledge among healthcare professionals, which is crucial for maintaining high standards of healthcare delivery in the country.
The approval of the new retirement age policy is expected to have a positive impact on the healthcare sector, as it will retain experienced doctors and healthcare workers who might have otherwise retired earlier. This move is seen as a response to the growing challenges faced by Nigeria’s health system, including shortages of skilled professionals and the increasing migration of healthcare workers abroad.
In addition to the retirement age extension, there have been ongoing efforts to address the welfare of healthcare professionals in Nigeria. Various health associations and unions have previously declared nationwide strikes due to the non-implementation of the CONMESS and CONHESS adjustments, highlighting the need for the government to prioritize the welfare of healthcare workers.
The NMA and other health unions have expressed optimism that the recent developments, including the approval of the retirement age extension and the payment of salary arrears, will help foster a more conducive environment for healthcare workers in Nigeria. These steps are seen as part of a broader strategy to enhance the country’s healthcare system and ensure the delivery of quality services to all Nigerians.
