The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has proposed new work-hour regulations limiting healthcare personnel to a maximum of 48 hours per week, including weekends, alongside mandatory rest periods after call duties.
Resident doctors, who are medical school graduates undergoing specialist training, play a critical role in Nigeria’s healthcare system and constitute a significant part of the workforce in emergency departments across the country.
NARD’s Publicity and Social Secretary, Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, disclosed the proposed guidelines in a statement on Sunday, saying they were developed following consultations with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Ibrahim said the proposal followed a nationwide assessment conducted by a committee that engaged 6,350 healthcare personnel across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
According to him, the framework is designed to regulate working hours, ensure adequate rest for healthcare workers and provide compensation for authorised additional duties.
“Healthcare personnel shall work a maximum of 48 hours per week, including weekends. Any authorized excess hours shall be appropriately compensated,” the statement reads.
Under the proposed guidelines, regular day shifts would be limited to eight hours, while afternoon shifts would not exceed six hours.
NARD also proposed that extended shifts lasting more than 12 hours should only be permitted in emergency situations.
The association said call duties would be limited to two per week and one weekend call per month, with duties distributed equitably among eligible healthcare personnel.
“Call duties shall not exceed two per week and one weekend call per month, with equitable distribution among eligible healthcare personnel,” the statement reads.
The guidelines further prescribe a minimum 12-hour rest period between regular shifts, as well as mandatory 24-hour post-call rest for healthcare personnel following weekday, Saturday, Sunday and public-holiday calls.
Under the proposed framework, healthcare workers would also be entitled to at least a one-hour break after six hours of continuous work.
NARD said healthcare institutions would be required to stagger such breaks to ensure uninterrupted patient care.
The association added that authorised excess working hours must be documented and adequately compensated, either at a rate above the normal hourly wage or through structured time off.
The proposed guidelines also provide for protected time for research and professional development, which NARD said would support the continued training and career development of healthcare personnel.
The association said the guidelines had been forwarded to medical directors and chief medical directors for implementation across health institutions.
NARD urged hospital managements and heads of departments to take immediate steps towards full compliance, while encouraging its centre leaderships to engage management and monitor implementation.
It also advised members to document cases of non-compliance and channel legitimate complaints through their respective centre leaderships for necessary action.
NARD said a second document addressing the casualisation of healthcare workers and abusive locum appointments would be released soon.
However, the association stressed that the proposed work-hour guidelines remain subject to approval by the National Council on Health before they can take full effect.
Boluwatife Enome
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