NARD Proposes 48-Hour Weekly Work Limit for Doctors

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has proposed new work-hour guidelines that would limit healthcare personnel to a maximum of 48 hours of work per week and 24 hours of continuous duty.

The recommendations followed the work of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s Ministerial Committee on Work Hour Regulation and Casualization of Doctors.

In a statement issued on Sunday, NARD said the committee conducted a nationwide assessment involving 6,350 healthcare personnel across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

The association said the assessment highlighted concerns over excessive working hours, fatigue, burnout and inadequate rest among healthcare workers, warning that such conditions could have implications for patient safety.

Under the proposed framework, healthcare personnel would work a maximum of 48 hours weekly, including weekends. Any authorised work beyond the limit would be subject to proper documentation and compensation.

The proposed guidelines also recommend an eight-hour maximum day shift and a six-hour afternoon shift, while shifts exceeding 12 hours would only be allowed in genuine emergency situations.

Healthcare workers would also be restricted to two call duties per week, including weekend calls, with a maximum of one weekend call per month.

NARD further recommended that no healthcare personnel should work for more than 24 consecutive hours, including call duty.

The framework provides for at least 12 hours of rest between regular shifts, as well as a mandatory 24-hour post-call rest period following weekday, Saturday, Sunday and public holiday calls.

Workers would also be entitled to a minimum one-hour break after six hours of continuous work, including during shifts and call duties. NARD said such breaks could be staggered to ensure uninterrupted patient care.

On additional working hours, the association said authorised excess hours must be properly documented and compensated above the normal hourly rate or offset through structured time off.

The proposed guidelines also provide protected time for healthcare personnel to engage in research and professional development, subject to approval by relevant authorities.

NARD said the recommendations had been forwarded to medical directors and chief medical directors of health institutions for implementation.

The association urged hospital managements and heads of departments to ensure compliance, while encouraging its members to document and report cases of non-compliance through their centre leadership.

It stressed, however, that the proposed limits would not prevent exceptional arrangements during genuine emergencies where extended duty may be required to protect patients and maintain continuity of care.

NARD also disclosed that a separate document addressing the “casualization and abusive locum appointments” of doctors would be released soon.

The association commended the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Salako, and its representatives on the ministerial committee for supporting the work-hour reform.

NARD said it remained committed to protecting the welfare, dignity, rights and professional interests of Nigerian doctors, while expressing hope that the recommendations would receive approval from the National Council on Health.