CI-NEWS

Applause as Biya extends retirement age for medical corps.

2020-07-13

No: 511

Applause as Biya extends retirement age for medical corps.

The Head of State in a presidential fiat on July 3 decreed that the retirement age for civil service medical personnel of Categories A and B will henceforth be 60, up from 55. Meanwhile, that of personnel of categories C and D will be 55 as opposed to 50 as was the case before now.

In a similar move same day, Prime Minister Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, in a Prime Ministerial decree which carried a visa of the presidency, also increased the retirement age of medical and para-medical personnel who are governed by the Labour Code.

According to the decree, those of categories 8 to 12 had their retirement age moved from 55 to 60, while those of categories 1 to 7 had their own shifted from 50 to 55.

The development is being positively greeted not only by the concerned personnel, but also by politicians who say it is proof of the Head of State’s listening ear to the cravings of people in the sector.

It has also been interpreted as a timely gift and appreciation for the thousands of personnel of the medical corps that are have been waging a frontline war as far as the fight against the coronavirus pandemic is concerned.

Selfless Sacrifice

Since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country early in March, these personnel have been putting their lives in harm’s way while trying to rescue those of other compatriots.

Words of appreciation for their selfless sacrifices have come from various quarters, including from the Head of State himself as he addressed the nation on May 19. As a father who appreciates the good works of his children, President Biya paid particular homage to the medical corps and other workers in the health sector who have been putting their lives on the line day in, day out. He expressed his recognition for their sacrifice and called on them to continue in that spirit of humanness and patriotism. “I also wish to hail the courage of Cameroonian health professionals and those assisting them. With the resources available to us, they are doing the utmost to treat those infected with the disease. Indeed, they are not giving up in the face of the gravity of Covid-19 infection. The Nation, through me, congratulates and urges them to keep it up”, he said.

Historical Demand Met

The issue of retirement age for medical personnel in Cameroon has been a long standing bone of contention. In fact, it has been a reason for a series of strike actions undertaken by syndicates of the corps.

The syndicates had over the years pressed for the increase of the retirement age on several grounds. One of their arguments has been that medical doctors for instance who spend many years in their training finally start working when they have already spent a significant number of years studying, making it unfair for them to retire quite early.

Other experts in the field have also sustained that it is in the later stages of the careers of these personnel that they have sufficient experience so as to better offer medical care to patients. With their supplications now having been granted by the Head of State, many who are jumping with joy hold that it was but a matter of time for the President of the Republic to grant their prayer.

Culled from Cameroon Insider

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Applause as Biya extends retirement age for medical corps.