President Bola Tinubu has approved the increase in the retirement age for doctors and other healthcare workers in the country 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 said 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 finalisation.
He said the policy shift was conveyed by Pate during a high-level meeting with the NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, and key stakeholders in the health sector.
Those at the meeting were the leadership of 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).
Bature revealed that the minister confirmed that the arrears resulting from the adjustment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) are set for payment.
The spokesman said: “The necessary funds have been secured, and disbursement to beneficiaries will commence soon.
“The minister said President Tinubu has approved the correction of consequential adjustments for both CONMESS and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), arising from the implementation of the new minimum wage.
“The process to effect this correction is at an advanced stage, providing much-needed relief to doctors and other healthcare workers.”
The NMA had demanded an increase in the retirement age of health workers from 60 to 65 years to address brain drain, improve knowledge transfer, and for quality healthcare delivery.