Reps Pass Bill To Increase Health Workers’ Retirement Age For Second Reading

A bill seeking to raise the retirement age for health workers in the nation from 60 to 65 years and extending the years of service from 35 to 40 passed a second reading on Thursday before members of the House of Representatives. During the plenary debate on the bill, its proponent, Dr. Wale Hammed (APC, Lagos), articulated that this legislation aims to retain seasoned medical professionals, thereby fostering the growth of the health sector while simultaneously mentoring younger practitioners. He emphasized that this initiative has the potential to transform the healthcare landscape, noting that the ongoing Japa syndrome negatively impacts the sector, as it is predominantly the younger workforce that is emigrating. Dr. Hammed acknowledged that while it may not be feasible to prevent migration due to individual rights, adjusting the retirement age could facilitate the retention of those who wish to continue serving locally for a longer duration. He said, “Increasing the retirement age will retain experienced healthcare workers, allowing them to continue contributing their expertise to the sector, as it is particularly important at this time that the healthcare delivery system faces significant challenges, especially a shortage of skilled professionals. “Nigeria’s healthcare sector is currently experiencing a significant depletion in both the number and quality of professionals due to two main factors. “Firstly, a substantial number of health workers are migrating abroad in search of the proverbial golden fleece—a trend difficult to stop given the fundamental human rights of the individuals concerned. Secondly, the compulsory retirement age of 60 and the mandatory 35 years of service, as stipulated in the public service rules, is contributing to the exodus of experienced professionals. “While we cannot control the former, the latter can be addressed through the upward review of the retirement age which this Bill will achieve. “We have precedence for such measures, as the federal government has previously reviewed upward, the retirement age for certain categories of public servants, including judges, lecturers, and teachers.” Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno) participated in the discussion by urging fellow members to provide the bill with a clear direction. He noted that several states within the federation have already raised the retirement age for health workers. He pointed out that during the recruitment process in hospitals, specific qualifications are typically outlined, and there is a persistent shortage of consultants and other health professionals due to a lack of experience. Jaha emphasized that health professionals over the age of 50 who are willing to remain in the workforce and contribute to the healthcare delivery system should be permitted to continue their service rather than being retired solely based on age or years of service. Bello Ambarura also contributed to the discourse, highlighting that numerous consultant positions in various Federal Medical Centres remain unfilled while retiring professionals are being recruited by foreign agencies due to their expertise. He contended that raising the retirement age for health workers would significantly benefit the healthcare sector in the country.

Elevator Tragedy: NMA declares indefinite strike in Lagos hospitals

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos branch, has directed medical doctors in three government hospitals on Lagos Island to embark on an indefinite strike over the death of its member, Dr Diaso Vwaere. The directive is contained in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary of NMA in the state, Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu and Dr Ajibowo Ismail, on Wednesday in Lagos. Vwaere, a medical house officer with the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos, died on August 1, owing to the injuries sustained when the elevator she was in crashed from the 10th floor of the hospital building. NMA directed the doctors at the General Hospital, Odan; Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, and Massey Street Children’s Hospital to embark on the strike until investigations into the cause of the death were completed and justice served. “The information we got was that she was trapped in the elevator for more than 40 minutes before she was rescued. “We were also reliably informed that there was no blood available for resuscitation, and this has become a recurring issue as a result of the review made by the government on the previous policy on blood donation. “To us, this was an avoidable death and it’s unfortunate that it was allowed to happen. We are pained and we are mourning. “We are well aware that this same elevator has been a source of problem for many years during which several complaints had been made to all relevant agencies with no respite. “It is very painful that at a time when the country is battling with unprecedented brain drain, a young colleague that would have been expected to attend to 6,000 Nigerians was allowed to die a needless death,” the association said. It called for immediate, unbiased investigation into the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident. “That all those found culpable in this matter, especially the General Manager of the Lagos State Infrastructure Management Agency, Ms Adenike Adekambi, are all brought to justice,” the association said. NMA also directed all the doctors in other government hospitals in the state to scale down activities as a mark of respect for their dead colleague. “Only emergency services should be rendered for the next five days,” it said. The association appealed to government to urgently begin an overhaul of the house officers’ quarters on the Island and repair the infrastructure in all government hospitals that needed attention. NMA also urged the government to revamp the blood transfusion system in the state for improved services. “We appeal to our colleagues to remain calm, as NMA Lagos State leadership is on top of the situation and will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is not just served but seen to have been served,” the association said. It commiserated with the family of the late doctor, her colleagues on the Island, the Medical Guild, and the body of doctors in the state while praying for the fortitude to bear the irreparable and unfortunate loss.

Doctor’s Kidnap: NMA takes protest to House of Assembly

Members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Tuesday marched to the Cross River House of Assembly in a peaceful protest against the kidnap of a member, Dr Ekanem Ephraim. The doctors, who came out in their numbers, wielded placards with inscriptions such as “Set Cross River Free from the Stranglehold of Kidnappers”, “Make Cross River Safe Again.” Ephraim was abducted from her residence on Thursday, July 13 by armed men who disguised as patients. Speaking at the Assembly Complex, Dr. Felix Archibong, Chairman of NMA, Cross River Chapter, said the situation of doctors in the state has got to the point where they were afraid of going about their daily activities. Archibong said doctors in the state now watched their backs at all times for fear of being abducted. “We are tired of coming out to protest every time that our member is kidnapped and after it is sorted out, another doctor is targeted and picked. “We have given the state government enough time; we have been patient and today is the 19th day and our member is still in the kidnappers den. “Is it a crime that doctors decided to serve in Cross River? Do they want us to leave the state? “In the last few years, doctors have been targets of kidnappers and we need something drastic to be done,“ he said. Responding, Mr Elvert Ayambem, House Speaker, appealed to the doctors to be calm. Ayambem said it was sad that the kidnap of the doctor took place at the time criminal elements were granted amnesty to enable them to turn a new leaf. He said if the criminals did not turn a new leaf after six months, they would feel the full impact of the law. “I am speaking as the head of the legislature in the state, let us hear from the governor who is the head of the executive because there is a limit to what I can do from my position.