Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has approved an extension of the retirement age for skilled clinical health professionals in government hospitals from 60 to 65 years to address manpower shortages and retain experienced medical personnel.
The governor announced the policy on Monday in Asaba, saying it also extends the maximum length of service from 35 to 40 years, whichever comes first. He said the measure was designed to strengthen healthcare delivery by retaining experienced professionals in the state’s public hospitals.
Oborevwori said the policy covers 26 categories of skilled clinical health professionals actively involved in providing clinical services in government hospitals.
According to him, the affected professionals include medical officers, nursing officers, pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists, physiotherapists, radiographers, optometrists, psychologists, dental officers, community health officers and audiologists.
Others covered by the policy are dieticians, medical laboratory technicians, pharmacy technicians, X-ray technicians, dental technologists, dental therapists, prosthetists and orthoptists, among others.
The governor said the approval followed appeals by the Delta Council of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives and the state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association.
“The associations have sought the adoption of the policy in Delta following its approval at the federal level,” he said.
Oborevwori explained that eligible officers seeking the extension must apply through their respective chief medical directors six months before reaching 60 years of age or completing 35 years in service.
He added that applicants must provide medical certificates of fitness, while chief medical directors are required to forward their applications to the Ministry of Health for screening and approval by the commissioner.
The governor clarified that the policy does not cover skilled clinical health professionals working in ministries and extra-ministerial departments, stressing that it is specifically for personnel actively engaged in clinical practice in government hospitals.
He expressed confidence that retaining experienced and medically fit health professionals would help preserve professional expertise and institutional knowledge within the state’s public hospital system.
Oborevwori added that the policy took effect from the date of approval, subject to the prescribed application, screening and approval procedures.
