By Christian Njoku
The Cross River Government has approved the extension of the retirement age health workers from 60 to 65 years or 40 years of pensionable service.
The approval, granted by Gov. Bassey Otu, was conveyed in Head of Service Circular No. 11/2026, signed by the Head of Service, Mr Orok Okon and made available to newsmen in Calabar on Tuesday.
Okon said the decision aimed to retain experienced professionals and strengthen healthcare delivery by addressing shortages of skilled personnel across the state’s health sector.
According to him, the policy applies only to frontline health workers serving in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities across the state.
“The circular exclude health workers occupying administrative positions, while maintaining existing retirement rules for other categories of public servants.
“Eligible state health workers will be recommended by the Commissioner for Health after verification of eligibility and continued fitness for service.”
The head of service also said that eligible local government health workers would be recommended by the Director-General, Cross River Primary Health Care Development Agency.
He directed the Accountant-General to ensure that only duly approved officers remained on the government payroll under the new retirement arrangement.
Okon reaffirmed that other public servants would continue retiring at 60 years or after 35 years of pensionable service, whichever comes first.
He added that the policy would take effect from Aug. 1, to strengthen the health workforce through retention of experienced professionals.
Reacting, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, described the approval as a historic milestone for the state’s health sector.
Ayuk thanked the governor for his commitment to workers’ welfare and healthcare reforms, expressing confidence that the policy would improve service delivery and consolidate ongoing health sector achievements.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Deborah Coker