President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved an increase in the retirement age for doctors and other healthcare workers from 60 to 65 years.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Mannir Bature, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.
According to Bature, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has been directed to formally present the approval to the Council on Establishment through the Office of the Head of Service for finalization.
Pate conveyed the policy shift during a high-level meeting with the NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, and key stakeholders in the health sector. Also in attendance were leaders of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, and the Joint Health Sector Unions.
Discussions during the meeting focused on progress related to the welfare of doctors and other healthcare professionals in Nigeria. The coordinating minister confirmed that the arrears resulting from the adjustment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) have been secured, with disbursement to beneficiaries set to commence soon.
“The necessary funds have been secured, and disbursement to beneficiaries will commence soon,” Bature quoted the minister as saying.
Additionally, Pate confirmed that President Tinubu has approved the correction of consequential adjustments for both CONMESS and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) due to the implementation of the new minimum wage. The process to effect this correction is at an advanced stage, promising much-needed relief for doctors and other healthcare workers.
Following an extensive review initiated by the NMA, approval has been granted for the implementation of new tariffs for healthcare service providers. This will particularly benefit members of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners and Nurses (ANPMPN), ensuring better financial remuneration and sustainability for healthcare services nationwide.
The Coordinating Minister expressed appreciation for the patience and collaboration of all stakeholders, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the welfare of all healthcare workers.
Pate emphasized that collaboration remains crucial in strengthening Nigeria’s health sector. Attendees at the meeting renewed their commitment to working together to advocate for the welfare of healthcare workers and ensure the full implementation of key reforms.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NMA has long championed the extension of the retirement age for health workers from 60 to 65 years. This move aims to address brain drain, enhance knowledge transfer, and improve the quality of healthcare delivery in the country.
Various health associations and unions have previously declared nationwide strikes over the non-implementation of CONMESS and CONHESS for doctors and healthcare workers. The recent approvals are expected to mitigate these concerns and improve conditions for medical professionals across Nigeria.
