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.
He noted that 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.
According to Bature, the policy shift was announced during a high-level meeting between Prof. Pate, NMA President Prof. Bala Audu, and other key stakeholders in the health sector.
Also present were representatives from 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).
Discussions at the meeting focused on the progress made regarding the welfare of medical professionals in Nigeria.
Prof. Pate confirmed that the arrears from the adjustment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) have been secured, and disbursement to beneficiaries will begin soon.
Additionally, President Tinubu approved corrections to the consequential adjustments for both CONMESS and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), which resulted from the implementation of the new minimum wage.
The minister assured stakeholders that the process to effect these corrections is at an advanced stage and will provide significant relief to healthcare workers.
As part of ongoing reforms, approval has also been granted for the implementation of new tariffs for healthcare service providers.
This is expected to benefit members of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners and Nurses (ANPMPN), ensuring better financial sustainability for private healthcare providers.
The minister expressed appreciation for the patience and collaboration of stakeholders and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the welfare of healthcare professionals.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration in strengthening Nigeria’s health sector.
Participants at the meeting reiterated their commitment to advocating for healthcare workers and ensuring the full implementation of key reforms.
The NMA has long championed an increase in the retirement age of healthcare workers as a strategy to mitigate brain drain, enhance knowledge transfer, and improve the quality of healthcare delivery.
Nationwide strikes by various health unions over the non-implementation of CONMESS and CONHESS had previously disrupted the sector, making this policy shift a significant step in addressing longstanding concerns.
