Nigeria Sets New Doctor Work Limits
Nigeria’s National Association of Resident Doctors has announced that a ministerial committee has finalised recommended national guidelines limiting the working hours of healthcare personnel, following a nationwide assessment that highlighted risks of burnout, fatigue and threats to patient safety.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Ministerial Committee on Work Hour Regulation and Casualization of Doctors developed the National Policy on Work Hour Regulation for Health Institutions after engaging 6,350 healthcare workers across the country’s six geopolitical zones. The guidelines have been forwarded to all medical directors and chief medical directors for implementation in health institutions.
Under the recommended framework, healthcare personnel should work a maximum of 48 hours per week, including weekends, with any authorised excess hours properly compensated. Day shifts are capped at eight hours and afternoon shifts at six hours. Extended shifts longer than 12 hours are to be restricted to genuine emergencies only.
Call duties are limited to a maximum of two per week, including weekend calls, with equitable distribution among eligible staff and no more than one weekend call per month. Continuous duty, including call periods, must not exceed 24 hours. Mandatory rest periods include a minimum of 12 hours between regular shifts and a full 24-hour post-call rest after weekday, weekend or public-holiday calls. A one-hour break is required after every six hours of continuous work, to be staggered so that patient care is not interrupted.
Authorised excess hours must be documented and compensated above the normal rate or balanced with structured time off. The policy also calls for protected time for research and professional development, subject to ethical approval. The recommendations allow flexibility only in genuine emergencies where patient safety and continuity of care require exceptional arrangements.
NARD leadership described the guidelines as a significant step toward addressing excessive workloads. Hospital managements and heads of departments are expected to take steps toward full compliance. Centre leaderships have been urged to engage their managements and follow up on implementation, while members are encouraged to document non-compliance and report it through official channels.
The association thanked Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Professor Mohammad Ali Pate and Minister of State Dr Iziak Adekunle Salako for their roles in advancing the policy. A second document addressing casualisation and abusive locum appointments is expected to be released soon. NARD expressed hope that the National Council on Health will also endorse the guidelines.
The new framework aims to protect the welfare of doctors and other healthcare workers while safeguarding patient care standards across Nigerian health institutions.
