Nigerian Doctors Demand Workload Reform

On October 1, 2025, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) announced that resident doctors will no longer work continuous shifts exceeding 24 hours.

This policy, effective immediately, ensures a rest period after each shift to combat burnout.

Alarming Ratio

NARD, led by President Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, highlighted Nigeria’s doctor-to-patient ratio of 1:9,083, far below global standards.

With over 240 million people and only 11,000 resident doctors, the healthcare system is under severe strain.

Exodus of Doctors

Health Minister Prof. Muhammad Pate reported that over 16,000 doctors have left Nigeria in recent years for better opportunities abroad.

This brain drain leaves remaining doctors, especially residents, with crushing workloads in tertiary hospitals.

Heavy Work Hours

Resident doctors work 106.5 hours weekly on average, with surgical residents enduring 122.7 hours.

This includes four to five 24-hour shifts per week, leading to exhaustion, medical errors, and risks to patient safety.

Health Risks

NARD warned that excessive hours harm doctors’ mental and physical health, sometimes fatally. “We lose colleagues to preventable deaths,” the association stated, questioning who supports their families afterward.

Call for Action

NARD urged the Health Ministry to adopt a one-to-one doctor replacement policy and regulate call hours. These steps aim to protect doctors and improve patient care by reducing fatigue-driven mistakes.

Patriotic Doctors

The association praised resident doctors as “heroes” for staying in Nigeria despite challenges. They deserve fair pay and safe working conditions, NARD said, emphasizing self-preservation aligns with the Hippocratic Oath.

Independence Day Context

Announced on Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day, NARD’s statement tied the reform to national progress, calling for better treatment of doctors who sacrifice for public health. They extended well-wishes for the anniversary.

Why It Matters

The policy addresses a critical healthcare crisis, aiming to retain doctors and ensure safer patient care amid a shrinking workforce.

What’s Next

In 2025, NARD will push for policy implementation and monitor compliance to protect doctors and patients, seeking lasting healthcare reform.

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