August 1: C’River To Begin 65-Year Retirement Policy For Frontline Health Workers

CROSS RIVER, CALABAR – The Cross River State Government has approved the elongation of service years for eligible frontline health workers, allowing them to remain in service until the age of 65 years or after 40 years of service, whichever comes first, in a move aimed at addressing the shortage of experienced healthcare personnel and improving healthcare delivery across the state.

The approval, contained in Head of Service Circular No. 11/2026 dated July 27, 2026, was conveyed by the Head of Service, Mr. Orok Bassey Okon, following the approval of Governor Sen. Bassey Edet Otu.

According to the circular, the new policy is intended to retain experienced and skilled health professionals in the state’s health sector in view of its peculiar manpower needs.

“I am pleased to convey the approval of His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State, for the implementation of elongation of service years for health workers in the employment of the Cross River State Government to 65 years of age or 40 years of service, whichever is earlier,” the circular stated.

The government clarified that the policy applies strictly to health workers actively serving in frontline health facilities, including hospitals, clinics and other health institutions across the state.

Truth Live News gathered that the policy however, excluded health personnel occupying administrative positions from the new retirement arrangement.

According to the circular, eligible officers in the State Civil Service must be formally recommended to the Head of Service by the Commissioner for Health, while eligible local government health workers will be recommended by the Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency after due verification of their eligibility and continued fitness for service.

The circular further directed the Accountant-General to ensure that only health workers duly approved under the new arrangement remain on the government payroll and continue receiving their salaries.

While introducing the new policy, the government maintained the existing retirement conditions for all other categories of public servants.

“Except as provided under this approval, the retirement age in the Cross River State Public Service shall remain sixty (60) years of age or thirty-five (35) years of pensionable service, whichever comes first, in accordance with the extant Public Service Rules,” the circular added.

The circular stated that the new retirement policy would take effect from August 1, 2026.

It explained that the decision was taken to tackle the shortage of experienced health professionals in government health facilities and ensure the sustained delivery of quality healthcare services to residents of the state.

“This policy is aimed at addressing the shortage of experienced health personnel in the State’s health facilities and ensuring the sustained delivery of quality healthcare services to the people of Cross River State,” the circular stated.

To ensure seamless implementation, the Head of Service directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), particularly the Commissioner for Health and the Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, to notify all affected health workers and ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the circular.

The circular also urged all government establishments to give the directive the widest possible circulation and ensure full compliance ahead of its implementation on August 1, 2026.