Delta Governor Extends Service Years for Eligible Hospital Professionals to 40 Years
From Yahaya Idris, Asaba
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has approved an extension of the retirement age for skilled clinical health professionals working in state government hospitals from 60 to 65 years, or from 35 to 40 years of service, whichever comes first.
The policy is designed to address manpower shortages in public hospitals, retain experienced medical personnel and strengthen healthcare delivery across Delta State.
The approval covers 26 categories of skilled clinical health professionals actively engaged in clinical services in government-owned hospitals.
The beneficiaries include medical officers, nursing officers, pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists, physiotherapists, radiographers, optometrists, psychologists, dental officers, community health officers and audiologists.
Other eligible professionals include dieticians, medical laboratory technicians, pharmacy technicians, X-ray technicians, dental technologists, dental therapists and orthoptists, among other recognised clinical health personnel.
The decision followed appeals by the Delta State Council of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) and the Delta State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), which called for the adoption of the policy in the state following its approval at the federal level.
Under the implementation guidelines, eligible officers seeking to benefit from the extension are required to submit applications through their respective Chief Medical Directors six months before attaining the age of 60 or completing 35 years in service.
Applicants must also provide a medical certificate confirming their fitness to continue working.
The Chief Medical Directors are expected to forward applications from interested personnel to the Delta State Ministry of Health for screening and approval by the Commissioner for Health.
However, the extension does not apply to skilled clinical health professionals working in ministries and extra-ministerial departments. It is specifically restricted to personnel actively engaged in clinical practice in government hospitals.
The state government is expected to benefit from the continued services of experienced health professionals whose expertise, institutional knowledge and clinical skills are essential to the effective operation of public healthcare facilities.
By allowing eligible and medically fit personnel to remain in service for an additional five years, the policy is expected to help preserve critical skills, support continuity of care and ease staffing pressures across the state’s hospital system.
The retirement-age extension takes effect from the date of the governor’s approval, subject to the stipulated application, screening and approval procedures.