Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has approved an extension of the retirement age for skilled clinical health professionals in state government hospitals from 60 to 65 years, or the length of service from 35 to 40 years, 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 extension covers 26 categories of skilled clinical health professionals actively engaged in clinical services in government hospitals. 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, prosthetic professionals and orthoptists, among other clinical personnel covered by the policy.
The approval 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 apply through their respective Chief Medical Directors six months before attaining 60 years of age or completing 35 years in service.
Applicants must also provide a medical certificate of fitness as part of the requirements for consideration.
The Chief Medical Directors are expected to forward applications from interested officers to the Ministry of Health for screening and approval by the Commissioner for Health.
However, the extension does not apply to skilled clinical health professionals serving in ministries and extra-ministerial departments, as the policy is specifically restricted to personnel actively engaged in clinical practice in government hospitals.
The initiative is expected to preserve valuable professional expertise and institutional knowledge within the state’s public healthcare system while helping to mitigate the shortage of experienced personnel in critical clinical roles.
By allowing eligible and medically fit professionals to serve for an additional five years, the state government seeks to maintain continuity in patient care, strengthen hospital operations and maximise the contributions of experienced health workers to the delivery of quality medical services.
The policy takes effect from the date of the governor’s approval, subject to compliance with the prescribed application, screening and approval procedures.
