The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has proposed work-hour regulations for its members across the country.
Resident doctors are medical school graduates training as specialists. They dominate emergency wards in most Nigerian hospitals.
In a statement on Sunday, Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, NARD’s publicity and social secretary, said the guidelines were developed following deliberations with the federal ministry of health and social welfare.
Ibrahim said the update followed the committee’s nationwide assessment involving 6,350 healthcare personnel across the six geopolitical zones.
He noted that the proposal includes weekends, with compensation for extra work hours.
According to Yahya, mandatory post-call rest for healthcare workers was prescribed.
“Healthcare personnel shall work a maximum of 48 hours per week, including weekends. Any authorized excess hours shall be appropriately compensated,” the statement reads.
According to Ibrahim, day shifts will be limited to eight hours under the framework, while afternoon shifts will not exceed six hours.
He noted that extended shifts exceeding 12 hours are to be restricted to emergency situations.
“Call duties shall not exceed two per week and one weekend call per month, with equitable distribution among eligible healthcare personnel,” the statement reads.
It further stipulates a minimum 12-hour rest period between regular shifts and mandatory 24-hour post-call rest following weekday, Saturday, Sunday and public-holiday calls.
Under the guidelines, healthcare personnel are to receive a minimum one-hour break after six hours of continuous work, with institutions required to stagger such breaks to ensure uninterrupted patient care.
He said the guidelines provide that authorised excess work hours must be documented and adequately compensated above the normal hourly rate or balanced through structured time-off.
NARD said the committee recommended protected time for research and professional development for healthcare personnel.
The association said the guidelines had been forwarded to medical directors and chief medical directors for implementation across health institutions.
NARD urged hospital managements and heads of departments to take steps towards full compliance, while encouraging its centre leaderships to engage management and monitor implementation.
It added that members should document cases of non-compliance and channel legitimate complaints through their centre leadership for necessary action.
The association said a second document addressing casualisation and abusive locum appointments was expected to be released soon.
NARD, however, noted that the proposed guidelines would be subject to the approval of the national council on health.