Japa Syndrome: Doctors’ retirement age increase will ease shortages – NMA

The recent increase in the retirement age for doctors and healthcare workers from 60 to 65 years will help cushion the effects of the ongoing ‘japa’ crisis in Nigeria’s health sector, according to the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Oyo State Branch, Dr. Happy Adedapo.

Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan, Adedapo described President Bola Tinubu’s approval as a welcome development that would help address workforce shortages caused by the mass exodus of medical professionals.

He emphasized that many healthcare facilities across Nigeria are severely short-staffed, and senior and junior professionals are migrating abroad and to cities like Lagos and Abuja in search of better working conditions.

“The gap created by the exit of experienced professionals can be temporarily filled by retaining older doctors who are not planning to relocate. This policy is a step in the right direction, provided it is properly implemented and backed by the necessary regulations,” Adedapo stated.

The retirement age extension is expected to provide temporary relief while the government explores long-term solutions to address brain drain in the country’s healthcare system.