Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has approved an upward review of the retirement age and years of service for human health professionals and medical consultants.
The policy change, it was learnt, is part of the governor’s broader initiative to redefine the State’s healthcare landscape and ensure better access to medical services for all residents.
Under the new policy, the retirement age for all human health professionals and medical consultants is now set at 65 years or 40 years of service, whichever comes first.
In a further adjustment, specifically for medical consultants, the retirement age has been increased to 70 years.
The upward review is designed to help address the ongoing shortage of healthcare workers in the state, which has been negatively impacting the prompt, effective, and accessible delivery of medical attention to the people of Abia.
The governor Otti’s decision reflects his administration’s commitment to strengthening the healthcare sector by retaining experienced health professionals for longer periods.
The policy is expected to help mitigate the workforce gaps in the health sector, which have been a persistent challenge.
By extending the working years of seasoned professionals, the government aims to leverage their expertise to improve healthcare outcomes and service delivery across the state.
The new retirement policy would take effect on August 12, 2024, and supersede all previous regulations regarding the retirement age and years of service for Human Health Professionals and Medical Consultants as outlined in the Public Service Rules and other existing guidelines of the service.
The Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) N. Q. Obioma, announced the changes, highlighting that the updated policy is a direct response to the governor’s vision of a robust and well-staffed healthcare system capable of meeting the needs of Abia’s population.
The government believes that these measures will go a long way in not only retaining skilled personnel but also in enhancing the overall quality of healthcare delivery in the state.
With this proactive approach, the Abia State Government is taking concrete steps to resolve one of the critical issues in the healthcare sector and ensure that residents have access to the medical care they need.