Healthcare Boost! Tinubu Raises Retirement Age to 65
President Bola Tinubu has approved the change in the retirement age of medical doctors and other healthcare professionals in the country from 60 to 65 years.
Dr. Mannir Bature, National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), made this known in a statement on Wednesday.
Bature stated that the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, has been instructed to present the approval to the Council on Establishment through the Head of Service’s Office for final passport.
He stated that the policy shift was brought up by Pate during a high-profile meeting with NMA President Prof. Bala Audu and other key stakeholders in the health sector.
Batture said the meeting also had 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).
He said discussions centred on the progress made regarding welfare for doctors and other healthcare professionals in Nigeria.
According to him, the coordinating Minister confirmed that the arrears resulting from the adjustment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) are ready for payment.
“The necessary funds have been secured and disbursement to beneficiaries will commence soon,” he said.
Bature quoted the minister as saying that President Tinubu has approved the correction of consequential adjustments for both CONMESS and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), which was as a result of the implementation of the new minimum wage.
“It would be at an advanced stage to effect this correction as a relief to doctors and other healthcare workers,” He said.
He stated that following a long process of review conducted by the NMA, approval has finally been granted for the implementation of new tariffs for healthcare service providers.
He went on to say, “This will be especially beneficial to members of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners and Nurses (ANPMPN), ensuring better financial remuneration and sustainability for healthcare services across the nation.
Bature stated that the Coordinating Minister commended the patience and collaboration of all stakeholders and reassured them of the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring the welfare of all healthcare workers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NMA has been at the forefront of calling for the increase of the retirement age of health workers from 60 to 65 years as a measure to minimize the brain drain, enhance the transfer of skills, and ensure the delivery of quality healthcare.
NAN report that nationwide strikes were declared by different health associations or unions for the non-implementation of CONMESS and CONHESS for doctors and healthcare workers.
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