The Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, has announced that the state may review the retirement age for doctors from 60 to 65 years as part of a comprehensive reform of the healthcare sector.
This statement was made on Wednesday during his address to national officers of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), who were in Calabar for their July National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
Gov. Otu explained that extending the retirement age would not only help retain highly skilled clinicians but also facilitate the effective transfer of knowledge to younger professionals.
He emphasized that this change would strengthen the state’s healthcare delivery system and help reduce the migration of skilled medical professionals out of the state.
“In light of the challenges we face, particularly the shortage of skilled healthcare workers, we are seriously considering increasing the retirement age for doctors from 60 to 65 years.
“This will help us retain valuable experience within our system and create opportunities for mentoring and knowledge transfer to the next generation of healthcare workers,” Gov. Otu stated.
The governor stressed that the sustainability of the health sector relies not only on government policies but also on the ethical and professional responsibilities of healthcare practitioners.
He urged doctors to uphold ethical standards, as this would help rebuild public confidence and address the ongoing brain drain.
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Additionally, Gov. Otu reassured that his administration is dedicated to ensuring that healthcare does not suffer, even while addressing other critical sectors such as education, infrastructure, and agriculture.
“All sectors must progress together. Therefore, we encourage dialogue and constructive reasoning in addressing welfare and sectoral demands,” he said.
Regarding remuneration, the governor noted that the state government is gradually implementing an improved salary structure aimed at providing better prospects for medical professionals.
“We may not solve everything overnight, but we are moving forward with intent, purpose, and compassion for our people,” Gov. Otu added.
President of NARD, Dr. Osundare Tope, praised the governor for approving 70 percent of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for doctors in the state. Represented by Dr. Abdulrauf Tajudeen, Vice President 1 of NARD, Dr. Tope encouraged the governor to strive for full salary parity with federal levels.
He stated that achieving pay parity would significantly help reduce internal migration and retain skilled professionals within Cross River State.
Similarly, Chairman of NARD in Cross River State, Dr. Emmanuel Ogar, expressed gratitude to the governor for supporting the association’s current event in Calabar and invited him to attend the week-long meeting as the special guest of honour.
