The retirement age of nursing staff and several other healthcare service personnel will be increased to 61 years, pending the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers, Health Minister Ramesh Pathirana said.
Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana revealed this in response to a question raised by MP Gamini Waleboda in Parliament, highlighting several issues faced by nursing staff in the healthcare sector.
The Health Minister said that although requests had been made to extend the retirement age beyond 61 years, no such extension would be granted.
A Cabinet paper has been submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers to increase the retirement age to 61, Minister Pathirana said.
Meanwhile, measures are underway to recruit 3,000 new nurses to healthcare services, the Minister said, filling existing vacancies of 1,000. (Newswire)