Spread the word
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has approved an extension of the retirement age for skilled clinical health professionals working in government hospitals from 60 to 65 years.
The policy also increases the maximum length of service for the affected workers from 35 to 40 years, whichever comes first.
Oborevwori announced the approval on Monday in Asaba, the state capital, explaining that the initiative was designed to address manpower shortages, retain experienced medical personnel and strengthen healthcare delivery across the state.
The governor said the policy covered 26 categories of skilled clinical health professionals actively engaged in clinical services in government hospitals.
He expressed confidence that retaining experienced and medically fit personnel would help preserve professional expertise and institutional knowledge within Delta State’s public healthcare system.
26 categories of health workers covered
According to the governor, the affected professionals include medical officers, nursing officers, pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists, physiotherapists, radiographers, optometrists, psychologists, dental officers, community health officers and audiologists.
Other categories covered by the policy include dieticians, medical laboratory technicians, pharmacy technicians, X-ray technicians, dental technologists, dental therapists, prosthetists and orthoptists, among others.
The extension is specifically intended for qualified professionals actively involved in clinical practice in government hospitals.
Oborevwori clarified that skilled clinical health professionals working in ministries and extra-ministerial departments are excluded from the arrangement.
He explained that the policy was designed to ensure that experienced personnel directly involved in patient care could continue to contribute their expertise to the state’s healthcare system.
The governor said retaining such professionals would help reduce the loss of experienced personnel and sustain the quality of services provided by public hospitals.
Nurses, doctors sought policy extension
Oborevwori disclosed that the approval followed appeals from the Delta State Council of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives and the state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association.
According to him, the professional associations had requested the adoption of the policy in Delta State following its approval at the federal level.
“The associations have sought the adoption of the policy in Delta following its approval at the federal level,” the governor said.
The move is expected to help the state retain experienced healthcare workers whose skills and years of professional practice could contribute to mentoring younger personnel and maintaining service delivery.
The policy also comes amid concerns over manpower shortages in healthcare facilities, making the retention of experienced clinical professionals an important consideration for the state’s public health system.
Conditions for extension
The governor explained that eligible officers seeking to benefit from the extension must apply through their respective chief medical directors six months before attaining the age of 60 or completing 35 years in service.
Applicants are also required to submit medical certificates of fitness as part of the process.
He said chief medical directors would be responsible for forwarding applications to the Ministry of Health for screening and approval by the commissioner.
“The applicants are also required to present medical certificates of fitness, while chief medical directors are expected to forward applications to the Ministry of Health for screening and approval by the commissioner,” he added.
The prescribed procedures are intended to ensure that only eligible professionals who meet the requirements are considered for the extension.
Consequently, the approval does not automatically extend the service of every health worker in the affected categories, as applicants must comply with the stipulated application, medical fitness and screening requirements.
Policy takes immediate effect
Oborevwori stated that the policy took effect from the date of approval, subject to the prescribed application, screening and approval procedures.
He reiterated that the extension was specifically designed for skilled clinical health professionals actively engaged in clinical services in government hospitals.
The governor expressed optimism that the measure would strengthen the state’s healthcare delivery system by allowing experienced and medically fit professionals to continue serving beyond the previous retirement limits.
Under the new arrangement, eligible workers may serve until they attain 65 years of age or complete 40 years in service, whichever comes first, provided they satisfy the applicable requirements.
The policy represents a change to the retirement limits previously applicable to the affected clinical health professionals in Delta State’s government hospitals.
Spread the word