‘We Are Not Slaves!’ – Resident Doctors Give FG 30 Days to Act

Calls for Better Welfare, Limits Call Duties to 24 Hours Amid Mass Exodus of Doctors

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a bold warning to the federal government, declaring that doctors will no longer operate under “slave-like” working conditions.

Dr. Mohammed Suleiman, President of NARD, made the announcement in an interview with Arise Television on Thursday, revealing that all resident doctors are now instructed to limit call duties to a maximum of 24 hours, effective October 1.

The directive comes amid growing concerns over doctor burnout, poor welfare, and the alarming exodus of medical professionals from Nigeria. “In the last 10 years, we have lost close to 15,000 to 16,000 doctors to other countries,” Dr. Suleiman said. “Ten years ago, the federal government sacked about 15,000 doctors during a strike, but they were all reinstated. Yet today, unsafe workloads remain a serious challenge.”

Dr. Suleiman added that NARD has given the federal government a 30-day ultimatum to meet its demands, warning that failure to act could lead to further industrial action.

The decision to limit call duties was reached at NARD’s annual general meeting in Katsina, where members unanimously resolved that doctors must prioritise their wellbeing. The association emphasized that doctors are not slaves and that their welfare cannot be ignored.

The move is expected to spark nationwide discussions on the state of healthcare in Nigeria and the urgent need for reforms to retain medical professionals within the country.