NARD proposes 48-hour weekly work limit, mandatory post-call rest

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has proposed new work-hour regulations aimed at limiting the workload of healthcare personnel and improving working conditions in hospitals across Nigeria.

Under the proposed guidelines, healthcare personnel would work a maximum of 48 hours a week, including weekends, while authorised overtime would attract additional compensation.

NARD said the proposal followed consultations with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and a nationwide assessment involving 6,350 healthcare personnel across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

The association disclosed this in a statement on Sunday signed by its Publicity and Social Secretary, Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim.

The proposed framework places an eight-hour limit on day shifts and six hours on afternoon shifts, while shifts lasting more than 12 hours would only be permitted in emergency situations.

It also seeks to limit call duties to two per week and one weekend call per month, with duties distributed equitably among eligible healthcare personnel.

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

NARD also proposed that healthcare personnel receive at least a one-hour break after six hours of continuous work.