NARD Proposes 48-Hour Weekly Work Limit, 24-Hour Post-Call Rest For Doctors

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has proposed new work-hour guidelines that would limit healthcare personnel to a maximum of 48 hours per week and require mandatory rest after call duties.

The proposed framework, developed following consultations with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, is based on a nationwide assessment involving 6,350 healthcare workers across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

Under the guidelines, healthcare personnel would work no more than 48 hours weekly, including weekends, while authorised additional hours would attract compensation. Regular day shifts would be limited to eight hours, afternoon shifts to six hours, while shifts exceeding 12 hours would only be allowed during emergencies.

NARD also proposed limiting call duties to two per week and one weekend call per month, with duties shared fairly among eligible personnel. Healthcare workers would be entitled to at least 12 hours of rest between regular shifts and a mandatory 24-hour post-call rest period after weekday, weekend and public-holiday calls.

The guidelines would also provide workers with a minimum one-hour break after six hours of continuous work, while hospitals would be required to stagger breaks to ensure patient care is not disrupted.

NARD said authorised excess hours must be properly documented and compensated either through additional payment or structured time off. The framework also includes protected time for research, training and professional development.

The association said the guidelines had been forwarded to medical directors and chief medical directors for consideration and implementation, urging hospital managements to take steps towards compliance.

NARD also asked its members to document cases of non-compliance and report them through their respective centre leaderships.

The association said another document addressing the casualisation of healthcare workers and abusive locum appointments would be released soon. However, it noted that the proposed work-hour guidelines remain subject to approval by the National Council on Health.