The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has announced a new policy restricting doctors’ call duties to a maximum of 24 hours, effective October 1, 2025, in what the body described as a life-saving measure for both patients and healthcare workers.
The decision, unveiled on Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day, follows years of concern over the heavy workload shouldered by the country’s limited number of resident doctors.
“With an estimated population of over 240 million people and only about 11,000 resident doctors, Nigeria records a ratio of 1:9,083. This is far from global best practice,” NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, said in a statement jointly signed with the association’s Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Ibrahim.
The group noted that Nigerian resident doctors work an average of 106.5 hours per week, with surgical residents enduring more than 122 hours. According to NARD, this translates into doctors taking four to five consecutive days of 24-hour call duty weekly.
“This situation is deeply troubling,” the statement read. “It inevitably leads to increased medical errors due to burnout, endangering patients’ safety, with a severe toll on the mental, physical, and psychological well-being of doctors. Too often, resident doctors sacrifice their health, and sometimes their lives, in service to their patients.”
The announcement comes against the backdrop of a worsening brain drain in the health sector. Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, recently revealed that over 16,000 Nigerian doctors have migrated abroad in the past five to seven years in search of better opportunities.
NARD stressed that the few doctors who remain in the system deserve stronger protection and improved welfare. “Those who have chosen to stay behind are patriots and heroes. They deserve not only protection but also fair and equitable remuneration commensurate with their efforts,” the association said.
To address the crisis, NARD is urging the Federal Government to adopt a one-to-one replacement policy to reduce the pressure on overstretched doctors, while also instituting regulatory safeguards against excessive call hours.
“With effect from October 1, 2025, all resident doctors across the country shall cease taking continuous calls beyond a twenty-four-hour period. There must be a call-free period after every call,” the association declared. “This decision is not just necessary but vital, in line with the principles of self-preservation enshrined in the Hippocratic Oath.”
The body also drew attention to the tragic reality of early-career doctors losing their lives from preventable stress and exhaustion. “The painful question remains: who cares for their families and dependents after their passing? How many more lives must we lose before decisive action is taken?”
Concluding its Independence Day message, NARD extended well wishes to Nigerians while calling for urgent reforms. “We cannot continue to lose our members to preventable and avoidable deaths — not now, and not in the future. On this day of national celebration, let us also reflect on the sacrifices resident doctors continue to make and the grave challenges they face.”
