The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced new recommended work-hour regulations for healthcare personnel, including a maximum 48-hour work week and a 24-hour limit for continuous duty.

 Under the proposed framework, healthcare personnel would work a maximum of 48 hours per week, including weekends while any authorised hours beyond the limit would have to be properly compensated.

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

According to a statement signed by NARD’s Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, the recommendations followed deliberations by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s Ministerial Committee on Work Hour Regulation and Casualization of Doctors.

The association noted that the committee conducted a nationwide assessment involving 6,350 healthcare personnel across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones which revealed the urgent need to address excessive working hours, burnout, fatigue and inadequate rest among healthcare workers, as well as the potential risks to patient safety.

NARD stated that healthcare personnel would also be limited to two call duties per week, including weekend calls, with a maximum of one weekend call per month.

It also recommended an absolute maximum of 24 continuous hours of duty, inclusive of call duty.

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

The statement observed that healthcare personnel would also be entitled to a minimum one-hour break after six hours of continuous work, including during shifts and call duties adding that the breaks should be staggered where necessary to ensure uninterrupted patient care.

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

“Authorized excess work hours must be properly documented and adequately compensated above the normal hourly rate, or appropriately balanced through structured time-off,” NARD said.

The association also recommended protected time for healthcare personnel to undertake research and professional development, subject to approval by the relevant health research and ethics committees.

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

“We are pleased to inform all members that these recommended guidelines have been forwarded to all MDs/CMDs for implementation across all health institutions,” it said.

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

It pointed out that the recommended limits would not prevent exceptional arrangements in genuine emergencies where patient safety and continuity of care required longer working hours.

NARD said a second document addressing the “casualization and abusive locum appointments” of doctors was expected to be released soon.

The association commended the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, and Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, for supporting the work-hour policy as well as NARD representatives who participated in the ministerial committee, including its Vice-President II, Dr Kwarshak Kevin Yakubu, and Secretary-General, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim.

“NARD remains committed to protecting the dignity, welfare, rights and professional interests of every Nigerian doctor,” the association said.

It added that it hoped the National Council on Health would also approve the recommendations.