Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has disclosed that his government will recall many retired doctors who are still strong to work.

Otu has also directed that the services of retiring nurses be extended by three years.

This is as a result of the acute shortage of doctors and other medical personnel in the state hospitals, even as many would be retiring from service end of this year.

Commissioner for health in the State, Dr Henry Egbe disclosed this in Calabar to journalists.

“As many in the health sector will also be retiring from service in 2023, the Governor has decided to extend the services of the nurses that would be retiring, for three more years.

“Similarly, the state government is also looking at recalling some of the retired doctors who are still strong to work in the state’s health sector on contract basis,” he said.

Ayuk said the state government would meet with the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Civil Society Organisations to work out some incentives for medical practitioners to be sent to rural communities, subject to the governor’s approval.

Meanwhile, chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, in the state, Dr Felix Archibong has hailed the decision of the Governor and called for engagement of more doctors with better working conditions to dissuade more from leaving the country.