In February, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the upward scale of the retirement of doctors and other healthcare workers from 60 to 65 years. However a committee was set up to draft a memo outlining a proposal to raise the retirement from 65 to 70 years.
The body is now concerned over the delay in the approval of the proposed extension of their retirement age from 65 to 70 years. They panic that despite years of advocacy the process remains uncertain and could again suffer a setback.
Although, the association has continued to champion 70 years for consultants, citing the rising emigration of skilled health professionals and the scarcity of trainers at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels of medical education.
Prof. Appolos Ndukuba, the President of MDCAN, said the association was only depending on unofficial information in regards to when a decision would be made.
He said “We are hearing that the National Council of Establishment may meet in December, possibly in the first week. We are not certain because they do not communicate their schedule to us. However, our findings suggest that the meeting will likely be held in early December.
“We expect that once the council meets, this issue will be tabled. Our members are anxiously waiting for deliberations to take place and for a favourable decision to be reached”.
President Ndukuba also warned that failure to keep experienced consultants could deepen the already critical employees shortage.
A former president of MDCAN, Prof. Muhammad Muhammad has also expressed annoyance over the prolonged delay.
“You will notice that this has gone to the Council of Establishment twice before now, and they keep pushing it aside. So, we are worried about their consideration this time around — whether they will approve it based on the presidential affirmation or they may not approve it again,” he said.
According to him, the set back comes at a time when hospitals are wrestling to retain specialists.
“The number of consultants, doctors, and other healthcare workers is gradually dwindling. Recently, about 10 hospitals advertised vacancies, and I don’t think they are getting appropriate responses for the positions.
“Retain what you have so that you have fewer to replace in the next five to 10 years, depending on what is appropriate,” he added.
He warned that if available experts are forced into retirement while recruitment remains weak, another waiver process would be needed by next year.
Dr. Oluwatosin Ilori also added that consultants have already made deep sacrifices to keep Nigeria’s healthcare system functioning, that most consultants are still strong enough to contribute effectively.
”The national body of MDCAN is working rigorously on this, and no date has been fixed yet for when the matter will be concluded.
“For now, consultants are hopeful that December will finally deliver a decision and fearful of what another delay could mean for Nigeria’s already strained health system,” Ilori stated.
