NARD Orders Resident Doctors To End 24-Hour Shifts Amid Dangerous Workload

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has raised alarm over Nigeria’s doctor-to-patient ratio of 1:9,083, describing it as far below international standards.

In a statement released on the country’s 65th Independence Day, NARD announced that, effective October 1, 2025, resident doctors nationwide will no longer take continuous calls exceeding 24 hours.

Signed by NARD President Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, Secretary-General Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary Dr. Abdulmajid Ibrahim, the statement highlighted the extreme pressures faced by doctors.

“With over 240 million people and only around 11,000 resident doctors, Nigeria falls far short of global best practice,” NARD said.

The association revealed that resident doctors work an average of 106.5 hours weekly, while surgical residents endure more than 122.7 hours, amounting to four to five 24-hour call shifts each week.

“This excessive workload jeopardizes patient care and the health of doctors, increasing the risk of medical errors and placing severe mental, physical, and psychological strain on medical professionals,” the statement read.

NARD also warned of the human cost, saying, “Resident doctors often sacrifice their health—and sometimes their lives—in service to patients. Early-career doctors have tragically died. Who then cares for their families? How many more lives must be lost before urgent action is taken?”

The new directive mandates a call-free period after each 24-hour shift, a step NARD described as essential for doctors’ wellbeing and in line with the Hippocratic Oath.