NMA, MDCAN excited as Tinubu extends doctors’ retirement age
The Nigerian Medical Association and the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria have lauded President Bola Tinubu for approval an increase in the retirement age for doctors and other healthcare workers in the country from 60 to 65 years.
According to them, the approval is a right step in the right direction, and it will help to address the gap in the country’s human resources for health.
The NMA in the news on its website signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr Mannir Bature on Wednesday noted that President Bola Tinubu has approved an increase in the retirement age for doctors and other healthcare workers from 60 to 65 years.
The association also 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.
NMA stated that this was part of the outcomes of the meeting convened by Prof Pate with the association, the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria, the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, and the Joint Health Sector Unions on Tuesday in Abuja.
Dr Bature also said the discussions centered on progress made regarding 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 are set for imminent payment. The necessary funds have been secured, and disbursement to beneficiaries will commence soon.
“The Minister announced that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has approved the correction of consequential adjustments for both CONMESS and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, 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.
“In a significant policy shift, the President has approved an increase in the retirement age for doctors and other healthcare workers from 60 to 65 years. The Minister of Health has been directed to formally present this approval to the Council on Establishment through the Office of the Head of Service for finalisation,” the news partly read.
It added that following an extensive review initiated by the NMA, approval has been granted for the implementation of new tariffs for healthcare service providers.
It said the initiative will benefit members of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners and Nurses in ensuring better financial remuneration and sustainability for healthcare services nationwide.
“The Coordinating Minister expressed appreciation for the patience and collaboration of all stakeholders and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the welfare of all healthcare workers. This, he emphasized, is crucial to strengthening Nigeria’s health sector.
“The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from all parties to work together in advocating for the welfare of healthcare workers and ensuring the full implementation of these key reforms,” it noted.
Speaking exclusively with The PUNCH, the President of the NMA, Prof Bala Audu said the increase in the retirement age for healthcare workers is a welcome development.
Prof Audu stated, “The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof Muhammad Pate informed us that he has received the President Bola Tinubu’s approval and that the President has increased the retirement age from 60 to 65 for healthcare workers, and that the process of actualising will have to go through the civil service process to make it effective.
“We appreciate what the Minister has done. It took a lot of discussion to convince the Ministry of the need, and that that need is actually necessary so that it will benefit Nigerians in terms of the health care delivery. The Minister clearly pointed out that it was not done as an entitlement, but as a necessity. And this is because quite a number of these experienced, highly skilled health professionals will be retiring soon. And we already have a situation where we already have very few health care providers because of the Djaka syndrome.
“By extending the retirement age, we are going to retain these people in the health workforce to continue to deliver high quality health care to Nigerians. But also at the same time, which means over the next five years, those who would have retired this year will still be in service over the next five years. By then, we would have started to retain the increased number of healthcare providers that the government has also put in place so that there will be more training. It’s a win-win situation for the government, for the citizens of Nigeria, and for the health care workers. So, we’re very pleased with it.”
The President of MDCAN, Prof Muhammad Muhammad also said this is a welcome development for the healthcare sector.
Prof Muhammad emphasised that such initiative would significantly contribute to the improvement of healthcare delivery in the country, and address some of the longstanding challenges in the sector.
Meanwhile, on the demand for increase in retirement age to 70 years for hospital Consultants, he said he believes the demand
He explained, “Our position is that the 70 years for consultants is still part of the approval as in our memo and as agreed in both agrement of MDCAN and JOHESU signed in November and October 2024, with the Federal Government of Nigeria respectively.
“ We signed an agreement with the Ministry of Labour that 70 years for Medical and Dental Consultants, and 65 years for other doctors, and co-clinical healthcare workers. Co-clinicals are those that are skilled in carrying out activities that are directly related to patient management.”
