The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has proposed a new work-hour framework that would limit healthcare workers to 48 hours per week and a maximum of two on-call duties.
The recommendations followed a nationwide assessment of 6,350 healthcare personnel by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s Ministerial Committee on Work Hour Regulation and Casualisation of Doctors.
NARD said the assessment highlighted excessive working hours, inadequate rest, burnout and fatigue, warning that the situation could endanger both healthcare workers and patients.
Under the proposed guidelines, regular shifts would be limited to eight hours, while afternoon shifts would be limited to six hours. No healthcare worker would be allowed to remain on continuous duty for more than 24 hours.
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The association also recommended at least 12 hours of rest between regular shifts and mandatory 24-hour post-call rest. Workers would be entitled to a one-hour break after every six hours of continuous work.
NARD said authorised overtime must be properly documented and compensated through additional pay or structured time off.
The association has forwarded the guidelines to Medical Directors and Chief Medical Directors nationwide and urged hospitals to begin implementation.
NARD also disclosed plans to release a separate policy addressing the casualisation of doctors and abusive locum appointments.
