- Doctors to End Call Duty Beyond 24 Hours
- Association cites health risks, errors, and tragic incidents from overwork.
- Calls on government to issue clear national call roster guidelines
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced a new directive limiting call duties for its members to a maximum of 24 consecutive hours, effective from Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, confirmed the development in an interview, explaining that the measure aims to safeguard doctors’ health and ensure safer service delivery for patients.
“For years, resident doctors in Nigeria have endured marathon call hours that compromise their wellbeing and patient safety. From today, no doctor will take more than 24 hours of continuous call duty. After that, rest is mandatory,” Suleiman stated.
He added that rosters requiring doctors to take back-to-back 24-hour calls would no longer be tolerated, describing the practice as unsafe and unsustainable.
According to him, the association has consistently warned about the risks of excessive call hours, which can lead to errors, burnout, and even fatalities.
Suleiman cited a tragic incident in Rivers State involving a young doctor who reportedly died after being on call for three consecutive days. “Even if underlying conditions contributed, excessive workload was a remote factor. Burnout is real, and that is why we are taking this stand,” he emphasized.
The NARD president clarified that the directive is not about rejecting call duty but enforcing healthy limits. “We are committed to our work, but no doctor should go beyond 24 hours without rest. After that period, one must eat, rest, and recharge before returning to duty,” he explained.
He also called on the Federal Government, particularly the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, to issue clear guidelines on healthy call rosters for doctors across the country.
Suleiman noted that doctors’ duties extend beyond call rosters, as they still attend to ward patients, run clinics, and dispense medications. “Calls do not mean suspension of other responsibilities. This is why call limits are necessary,” he said.
NARD stressed that the move is designed to protect both healthcare workers and patients, urging compliance across all hospitals.
