By Onomiguren Agbamu
The Delta State Government has stipulated conditions for clinical health workers seeking to benefit from the extension of the retirement age from 60 to 65 years, including the submission of applications six months before attaining the statutory retirement age and passing medical fitness assessments.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, disclosed this on Tuesday in Asaba, stressing that the extension was not automatic but subject to compliance with the approved requirements.
Onojaeme explained that eligible personnel must apply within the stipulated period and undergo medical assessments to establish their fitness to continue discharging their duties beyond the age of 60.
He said the policy covered various professional cadres in the health sector, including medical officers, nursing officers, pharmacists, dental officers, community health officers, assistant radiographers, speech therapists, dieticians, optometrists and relevant technical personnel.
According to the commissioner, the conditions were necessary to ensure that only qualified and medically fit personnel benefited from the additional five years in service.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had earlier approved the extension as part of efforts to retain experienced healthcare professionals and strengthen service delivery amid the increasing migration of skilled health workers abroad.
Onojaeme said the policy was expected to preserve institutional knowledge, retain experienced personnel and address manpower shortages confronting the state’s healthcare system.
He noted that the continued departure of skilled health professionals had placed pressure on healthcare delivery, making it necessary for the government to introduce measures that would encourage experienced personnel to remain in service.
The commissioner added that eligible workers who satisfied the stipulated conditions would have the opportunity to contribute their expertise for an additional five years.
Meanwhile, Onojaeme reassured residents that no case of Ebola had been recorded in Delta State, saying the government had intensified preventive measures against a possible outbreak.
He disclosed that health personnel were undergoing training, while the government was procuring protective equipment to safeguard healthcare workers and strengthen emergency response capacity.
He urged residents to remain calm and support public health efforts, assuring them that the government was taking steps to protect the population against potential health threats.
The commissioner said the retirement age extension and ongoing Ebola preparedness measures formed part of the state government’s efforts to strengthen the health system, retain skilled personnel and protect residents from public health emergencies.
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