The bill seeking to increase the retirement age of health workers from 60 to 65 years passed the second reading on Thursday, News About Nigeria reports.
The House of Representatives also raised the years of pensionable service from 35 to 40.
The bill titled, “A bill for an act to make provisions for the retirement age for health workers in Nigeria and for related matters,” is sponsored by Adewale Hammed (APC, Lagos).
Leading debate on the general principles of the bill, Hammed said it has the potential to revolutionise the healthcare sector in Nigeria.
He said, “This bill seeks to make provisions for the compulsory retirement age and years of service for Health Workers in Nigeria. Essentially, clauses 2 and 3 of the Bill provide for – (2) Health Workers in Nigeria shall compulsorily retire on attainment of 65 years of age or 40 years of pensionable service, whichever is earlier. (3) Any law or the Public Service Rules requiring a person to retire from the Public Service at 60 years of age or after 35 years of service shall not apply to Health Workers in Nigeria. Increasing the retirement age will retain experienced healthcare workers, allowing them to continue contributing their expertise to the sector.
“This 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.”
