JOHESU demands retirement age increase for health workers to 65 years

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) have called on the federal government to raise the retirement age of health workers from 60 to 65 years. The demand was contained in a communiqué issued yesterday following a leadership meeting held ahead of the visit of the Minister of […]

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) have called on the federal government to raise the retirement age of health workers from 60 to 65 years.

The demand was contained in a communiqué issued yesterday following a leadership meeting held ahead of the visit of the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to the organisation.

The document was jointly signed by JOHESU’s National Chairman, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir, and National Secretary, Comrade Martin Egbanubi.

The unions stated: “We urge the immediate implementation of the approved upward review of the retirement age for health workers without discrimination. JOHESU maintains its position on increasing the retirement age to 65 years for all health workers, 70 years for healthcare professional consultants, and 35-40 years of service for all categories, as is currently practised in the universities and judiciary.”

During his visit, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, emphasised the importance of dialogue in fostering industrial harmony.

“Unions safeguard workers’ welfare, and this engagement provides a template for addressing issues proactively.

“Human resources are the most critical input in healthcare-without a motivated workforce, even the best infrastructure cannot guarantee quality service delivery,” he said.

The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to sustaining peace in the health sector while acknowledging the vital role of health workers in national development.