By Olivia Ambrose, JKNewsMedia Intern
NEED TO tackle Nigeria’s healthcare workforce shortage have led to President Bola Tinubu approving an increase in the retirement age for doctors and other healthcare professionals from 60 to 65 years.
He said the decision aims to curb brain drain, enhance knowledge transfer, and strengthen healthcare delivery across the country.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, announced that he has been instructed to present the approval to the Council on Establishment through the Office of the Head of Service for finalisation.
Dr Mannir Bature, National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), also confirmed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Lagos.
Deliberations over the policy shift took place during a high-level meeting attended by NMA President Prof. Bala Audu, along with leaders 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 focused on healthcare workers’ welfare, pending salary arrears, and structural reforms in the sector.
Prof. Pate announced that the federal government had secured funds for the payment of outstanding arrears linked to the adjustment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
He said disbursement will begin soon, providing long-awaited financial relief to healthcare professionals.
Further approval from President Tinubu includes the correction of consequential adjustments for both CONMESS and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), following the implementation of the new minimum wage.
The adjustment process is in its final stages and is expected to ease financial burdens on doctors and other healthcare workers.
An additional policy shift includes the implementation of new tariffs for healthcare service providers, benefiting members of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners and Nurses (ANPMPN).
This move ensures better remuneration and long-term financial sustainability for private healthcare facilities.
Prof. Pate acknowledged the patience of stakeholders and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving healthcare workers’ welfare.
He also stressed that collaboration among all parties remains vital in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Stakeholders at the meeting pledged to continue advocating for the well-being of medical professionals and ensuring the full implementation of agreed reforms.
For years, the NMA has pushed for an increase in the retirement age of health workers to address workforce shortages and improve service quality.
The body noted that prolonged disputes over CONMESS and CONHESS have resulted in multiple nationwide strikes by health sector unions, calling for improved working conditions and fair compensation.
However, concrete measures taken by the government signal a commitment to addressing these longstanding issues, with expectations that the reforms will stabilise Nigeria’s healthcare system and promote its long-term growth, they affirmed.
