Group advocates extension of retirement age for health workers

The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) called on Saturday for an extension of the retirement age of health workers in the country.

This is contained in a communiqué signed by Dr. Emmanuel Musa, Chairman, MDCAN FCT Administration Chapter, and issued to the newsmen in Abuja.

The communiqué was issued at the end of the association's 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference held on Friday.

According to the communiqué, the MDCAN proposed raising the retirement age for health workers from 60 to 65 years old and that of medical and dental consultants to 70 years old.

The communique also stated the need for government at all levels to strengthen the primary healthcare.

It assured FCT residents of doctors' commitment to quality healthcare delivery.

The communique said that the government and other employers of specialists in medical and dental consulting need to do better in terms of the welfare of doctors.

"For example, one wonders why the Federal Government has failed to review the CONMESS salary structure which according to collective bargain was due since 2014," it said.

The communiqué also questioned the quality of healthcare available in the country's medical facilities, adding that the citizens deserved much better than what is currently available.

The association expressed worries over the effect of brain drain on the remaining members operating under poor working conditions.

It also stressed that medical workers lack the much-needed equipment necessary for proper diagnosis and treatment of patients in most hospitals.

The communiqué, however, urged the FCT administration to make provisions for housing or land for the medical and dental consultants to enable them to cope with the high cost of living in the FCT.

They, however, commended the Minister of FCT, Malam Muhammad Bello, for his efforts aimed at transforming the medical sector and urged him to do more.