Calabar: Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River announced that the state may review the retirement age of its doctors from 60 to 65 years to reform the state’s health sector comprehensively. Otu made this statement while addressing the national officers of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) during their July National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Calabar.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the governor emphasized that extending the retirement age would help retain highly skilled clinicians in the system and facilitate the effective transfer of knowledge to younger professionals. He stated that this initiative aims to strengthen the state’s healthcare delivery system and address the migration of skilled medical professionals.
Governor Otu underscored the importance of retaining valuable experience within the state’s healthcare system and providing opportunities for mentoring and knowledge transfer to the next generation of healthcare workers. He highlighted that the sustainability of the health sector relies not only on government policies but also on the ethical and professional responsibility of practitioners.
The governor called on doctors to uphold ethical standards, emphasizing that doing so would help rebuild public confidence and mitigate the ongoing brain drain. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring healthcare development alongside other sectors such as education, infrastructure, and agriculture.
Governor Otu mentioned that the state government is gradually implementing an improved salary structure, which aims to ensure better compensation for medical professionals in the state. He acknowledged that while all issues may not be resolved immediately, the government is progressing with intent, purpose, and compassion for its citizens.
In response, Dr. Osundare Tope, President of NARD, praised the governor for approving 70 percent of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for doctors in the state. Represented by Abdulrauf Tajudeen, Vice President 1 of NARD, Tope urged the governor to strive for full parity with federal salaries to reduce internal migration and retain skilled professionals within the state.
Dr. Emmanuel Ogar, Chairman of NARD in Cross River, expressed gratitude to the governor for supporting the association’s ongoing event in Calabar and invited him to attend the weeklong meeting as the special guest of honour.
