The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, says the Federal Government has made provisions for retired medical providers in non-administrative positions to be re-engaged on a contractual basis.

He made the disclosure on Saturday in Abuja, while fielding questions from newsmen after his visit to the National Hospital Abuja (NHA).

According to him, this is to close the human resource gap being experienced in the health sector owing to various reasons such as ‘brain drain’ of clinical manpower.

He explained that the recent circular essentially provided for medical providers who are in clinical positions, to be re-engaged on a contract basis.

He noted that this development will go a long way in reducing the stress on the remaining health workforce.

The minister said that the government would do everything possible to retain those who are willing to return to service.

In a circular dated August 30 and signed by Mr Olufemi Oloruntoba, the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies Office, it approved that clinical health workers who have attained the compulsory retirement age or years of service may be offered contract appointments.

These contract appointments “may be given on the same Salary Grade Level that they retired on, if desired and deserved.”