President Bola 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 announced the development 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.
The policy shift was conveyed by Pate during a high-level meeting with NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, and key stakeholders in the health sector.
The meeting was attended by leaders 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). Discussions focused on the welfare of doctors and other healthcare professionals in Nigeria.
Pate confirmed that arrears resulting from adjustments to the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) have been secured and will be disbursed soon.
He also stated that Tinubu had approved the correction of consequential adjustments for both CONMESS and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), which arose from the implementation of the new minimum wage. The process to implement these corrections is in its final stages.
Additionally, following an extensive review initiated by the NMA, the government has approved 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 remuneration and sustainability in the healthcare sector.
Pate expressed gratitude for the patience and collaboration of all stakeholders and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the welfare of healthcare workers.
He emphasized the need for continued collaboration to strengthen Nigeria’s health sector.
The NMA has long advocated for increasing the retirement age of health workers to address brain drain, enhance knowledge transfer, and improve healthcare delivery.
Various health associations and unions had previously declared a nationwide strike over the non-implementation of CONMESS and CONHESS.
