The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called on the Federal Government to urgently implement the proposed 65-year retirement age for clinical health workers, saying the policy would help retain experienced professionals amid the country’s worsening health workforce shortage.
The NMA made the call at a press briefing in Abuja following its National Executive Council meeting held from August 24 to 28.
The association’s President said the continued delay in implementing the retirement age was particularly concerning at a time when Nigeria was losing large numbers of skilled healthcare professionals to migration.
He urged the Federal Government to immediately implement the 65-year retirement age for clinical health workers without further unnecessary delays.
According to him, extending the retirement age would help retain experienced doctors and other healthcare professionals while the government works to address the broader challenges of workforce shortages and migration.
NMA Calls for Greater Investment in Health Workers
The NMA stressed that building hospitals and purchasing medical equipment alone would not guarantee quality healthcare delivery.
It said healthcare facilities require adequate numbers of motivated, fairly compensated and properly protected professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and medical laboratory scientists.
The association therefore urged the government to invest in healthcare workers with the same commitment given to infrastructure and equipment.
The NMA also raised concerns over several other challenges affecting the health sector, including insecurity, poor road networks leading to healthcare facilities, drug and substance abuse among young people and difficult working conditions that contribute to the migration of health professionals.
Doctor Reportedly Held Captive for Four Months
The association expressed particular concern over the security of healthcare workers, citing the reported abduction of a medical doctor from Niger State who has allegedly been in captivity for about four months.
The NMA described the situation as unacceptable, stressing that healthcare workers should not have to choose between saving lives and protecting their own safety.
It called on governments to strengthen security around healthcare facilities and improve roads leading to hospitals, particularly in rural communities.
According to the association, poor road infrastructure can delay emergency medical care, hinder referrals and make it difficult for healthcare workers to reach patients in need.
NMA Demands Implementation of Collective Agreement
The association also called for the conclusion and implementation of the outstanding collective bargaining agreement between the government and health workers.
It warned that prolonged delays in addressing the concerns of healthcare professionals were creating dissatisfaction within the sector and contributing to the continued migration of skilled workers.
The NMA called for comprehensive measures to retain healthcare professionals, including appropriate tax relief, improved security, better working conditions, implementation of the 65-year retirement age and increased investment in Nigeria’s health workforce.
The association maintained that retaining experienced healthcare professionals must be a priority if the country is to strengthen its healthcare system and improve access to quality medical services.