The recent increase in the retirement age for doctors and healthcare workers, from 60 to 65 years, will help to cushion the effects of ‘japa’ scourge in the health sector.

The chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Oyo state branch, Happy Adedapo, disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Ibadan on Saturday.

President Bola Tinubu approved 65 years as the new retirement age for doctors and other healthcare workers earlier in the week.

According to Mr Adedapo, the approval is a welcome development to somewhat take care of some downsides of the highly prevalent japa malady among other issues bedevilling the healthcare delivery system.

The state NMA chair emphasised that the approval would mitigate the effects of inadequate personnel in the health sector.

“It is something the body of doctors has been advocating as most healthcare facilities are short-staffed.

“Generally, apart from the external ‘japa’, there is the internal ‘japa’ as well.

“People are also migrating to places like Lagos and Abuja due to better working conditions on a daily basis.

“The lacuna created by the shortage of staff, as a result of the exit of top and junior professionals, would be surely plugged, even if temporarily, while further ingenious measures are adopted for permanent respite.

“It’s better to retain the old and experienced ones who have been in the system and not planning to relocate.

“So, it’s a welcome development if followed through and backed by extant documents,” Mr Adedapo said. 

(NAN)