The Federal Government has approved the appointment of retired medical personnel as contract staff after attaining compulsory retirement age or years.

The FG said that the appointed staff would be on the same salary scale level that they were before retirement if they desire and deserve it. PUNCH reports that a circular obtained and dated October 5, 2023 by the Federal Ministry of Health directed the Chief Executive Agencies, Chief medical Directors and head of regulatory bodies and schools to ensure compliance with the circular earlier issued by the Office of of the Civil service of the Federation to all staff in their institutions.

The office of the OHCSF had in a circular dated August 30,2023 rejected the upward review of the current retirement age of Medicine/dental consultants and other health professionals from 60 to 70 and 75 respectively. The Circular was signed by the permanent secretary, service policies and strategies office, Oloruntoba Olufemi for the head of the civil service of the federation. part of the circular read ” some state Government had aleady increased the retirement age of medical doctors and other health workers and this has not addressed the spate of brain drain…..council, however, approved that clinical health workers who have attained the compulsory retirement age/years may be givem contract appointment on the same salary scale level that they retired on if desired or deserved”.