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Reps Okay A Bill To Increase Retirement Age, Service Year Of Health Workers In Nigeria
By Saheed Badmus
Nigerian House of Representatives on Thursday passed for the second reading of a bill extending the retirement age for health workers in Nigeria from 60 to 65 years.
The green chamber proposed bill when becomes law would also increase the maximum pensionable years of service from 35 to 40.
The bill would address workforce shortages in the healthcare sector and enhance institutional memory by retaining experienced health professionals for longer periods.
The bill Titled, “A bill for an act to make provisions for the retirement age for health workers in Nigeria and for related matters” sponsored by Hon. Adewale Hammed member representing Agege Federal constituency (APC, Lagos).
While leading debate on the general principles of the bill, Hon. 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.”
Furthering his debate, the lawmaker said “Mr. Speaker, my respected colleagues, 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 fleecea 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”, he submitted.
According to him, “While we cannot control the former, the latter can be addressed through the upward review of the retirement age which will be achieved by this bill.
“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.
“My respected colleagues will recall that in May 2021, the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment reached an agreement with stakeholders in the health sector to increase the retirement age for health workers from 60 to 65 years, hence the need to backup the agreement with legislation.
“In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, my respected colleagues, this piece of legislation that seeks to make provisions for the compulsory retirement age and years of service for Health Workers in Nigeria is a well-thought-out initiative that addresses the needs of our healthcare sector.
“I urge my fellow colleagues to support that this bill, which has the potential of transforming the lives of millions of Nigerians and contribute to the country’s economic growth be read the second time”.
