President Bola Tinubu has approved the extension of the retirement age for doctors and other healthcare professionals in Nigeria from 60 to 65 years.
This decision was announced by Dr. Mannir Bature, the National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), in a statement issued on Wednesday.
The approval will be formally presented by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, to the Council on Establishment via the Office of the Head of Service for finalization.
The announcement came after a high-level meeting attended by key healthcare sector stakeholders, including NMA President Prof. Bala Audu, the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
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During the meeting, Prof. Pate confirmed that the arrears owed to doctors and healthcare workers due to the adjustment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) would be paid soon.
The necessary funds have been secured, and disbursement will begin shortly.
The minister also revealed that President Tinubu had approved the correction of the consequential adjustments for both CONMESS and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), which had been impacted by the new minimum wage implementation.
In addition, a new tariff structure for healthcare service providers has been approved, which is expected to benefit members of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners and Nurses (ANPMPN) and improve financial remuneration within the sector.
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The Minister expressed appreciation for the continued collaboration of all healthcare stakeholders and emphasized the government’s commitment to improving healthcare worker welfare.
The NMA has been advocating for the retirement age increase as a measure to retain skilled professionals and address the ongoing brain drain, improve knowledge transfer, and ensure the continued delivery of quality healthcare.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from all parties to work together towards the successful implementation of reforms and the advancement of the healthcare sector in Nigeria.
