Otu Mulls Raising Doctors’ Retirement Age, Commits to Holistic Health Sector Reforms

BasseyInyang in Calabar

As part of reforms aimed at strengthening the state’s healthcare delivery system, and curb the migration of skilled medical professionals, the Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has revealed plans to increase the retirement age of doctors in the state from 60 to 65 years.

Otu made the disclosure while addressing national officers of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), who were in Calabar for the July National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the association.

According to him, the proposed retirement age extension would not only help retain highly skilled clinicians in the system but will also allow for effective transfer of knowledge to younger professionals and improve continuity in healthcare delivery.

“In view of the realities, we face, especially the shortage of skilled hands, we are seriously considering reviewing the retirement age for doctors from 60 to 65 years.

“This will help us retain valuable experience within our system and provide room for mentoring and knowledge transfer to the next generation of healthcare workers.”

Otuemphasised that the sustainability of the health sector depended not just on policies but on the ethical and professional responsibility of practitioners.

He urged doctors to uphold these standards, noting that doing so would help rebuild public confidence and curb the ongoing brain drain.

“The medical profession demands both ethical and professional discipline. When these are upheld, they will inspire trust in the system and reduce the exodus of our best minds to other countries,” he said.

In his remarks, Dr. AbdulraufTajudeen, Vice President 1 of NARD, who spoke on behalf of the President, Dr. Osundare Tope, commended the governor for approving 70 per cent of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for doctors in the state and urged him to push toward full parity with federal salaries.

“We truly appreciate what you have done so far, but achieving pay parity will go a long way in reducing internal migration and retaining skilled hands within the state,” Dr. Tajudeen said.

Chairman of the Cross River State chapter of the Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. Emmanuel Ogar, expressed gratitude to the Governor for his consistent support.

The State Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. EzokeEpoke, lauded Governor Otu for clearing inherited salary arrears, supporting medical outreach programs, and initiating legislation to establish a State Hospital Management Board, a move he described as pivotal to regulating staffing, training, and service quality across secondary healthcare facilities.