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 guidelines, healthcare personnel would work a maximum of 48 hours per week, including weekends. Any authorised hours beyond the limit would have to be properly documented and compensated.
The recommendations followed deliberations by a Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare ministerial committee, which conducted a nationwide assessment involving 6,350 healthcare personnel across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The assessment highlighted excessive working hours, burnout, fatigue and inadequate rest as concerns that could affect patient safety.
NARD also proposed a maximum of eight hours for day shifts and six hours for afternoon shifts, while shifts exceeding 12 hours would only be permitted in emergency situations.
The guidelines recommend no more than two call duties per week, including weekend calls, with a maximum of one weekend call per month. Healthcare personnel would also be entitled to at least 12 hours of rest between regular shifts and a mandatory 24-hour post-call rest period.
NARD further recommended a minimum one-hour break after six hours of continuous work, including during shifts and call duties, with breaks staggered where necessary to ensure uninterrupted patient care.
NARD said the recommendations have been forwarded to medical directors and chief medical directors for implementation across health institutions, urging hospital managements to ensure compliance and members to report cases of non-compliance through their centre leadership.
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