…as association directs all resident doctors nationwide to limit their call duties to a maximum of 24 hours, effective from October 1.
ABUJA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | The President of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr. Mohammed Suleiman, has issued a stern warning to the federal government, declaring that Nigerian doctors will no longer accept “slave-like” working conditions amidst growing burnout and poor welfare.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Thursday, Dr. Suleiman revealed that the association has directed all resident doctors nationwide to limit their call duties to a maximum of 24 hours, effective from October 1. He said the directive was one of several resolutions passed at NARD’s recent Annual General Meeting held in Katsina.
“We are not slaves,” Dr. Suleiman asserted. “The current working conditions are not only unsafe for doctors but dangerous for the healthcare system at large.”
He painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s medical brain drain, stating that in the last decade, the country has lost between 15,000 and 16,000 doctors to foreign nations in search of better opportunities.
“In 10 years, we have lost nearly 16,000 doctors. That’s a catastrophe. At a time like this, expecting those who remain to carry the weight of the system without support is unacceptable,” he said.
He also referenced a past incident where the federal government sacked about 15,000 doctors during a strike but was later forced to reinstate them, calling it a historical lesson the government should not forget.
According to Dr. Suleiman, the current shortage of healthcare professionals has created a crisis where the few remaining doctors are overworked, underpaid, and emotionally exhausted.
“To preserve our physical and mental health, we have taken this bold decision. No doctor should be forced to work back-to-back shifts like a machine. Our wellbeing must matter,” he said.
As part of its broader advocacy, NARD has now issued a 30-day ultimatum to the federal government to address key demands, including improved welfare packages, adequate staffing, and reforms that would reduce burnout and retain talent.
“The clock is ticking,” Dr. Suleiman warned. “This is a fight for the future of Nigeria’s healthcare system.”
NARD’s latest move adds urgency to an already tense situation, as the country grapples with a crumbling healthcare infrastructure and the relentless departure of its medical professionals.
