The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has raised concerns that the Federal Government has yet to respond to its directive restricting doctors from working beyond 24-hour call duty shifts.
Speaking with The Guardian on Wednesday, NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, confirmed that members across 91 centres nationwide had been instructed to limit continuous duty to 24 hours, with compliance being monitored by Chief Residents and Centre Presidents.
When asked if the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had reacted, Suleiman replied: “No response so far.”
He warned that the prolonged work hours were already undermining patient care, stressing: “The excess call duty is already taking its toll on patient care as it is.” Suleiman urged the ministry to act swiftly, citing doctors’ welfare and patient safety as urgent priorities.
The NARD President further revealed that the association would soon announce additional welfare-related demands for its members — a move that could escalate tensions if government silence persists.
For many Nigerians, the Federal Government’s inaction on this critical issue has heightened fears of another potential face-off with resident doctors, a scenario that could further destabilize the nation’s already fragile healthcare system.
