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.
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