The intendment of the NHSRII for improved health outcomes is that a doctor should finish a call, hand over and go home knowing a rested colleague has taken over. A locum should have a clear contract, regular pay and an end to temporary status. Patients should be treated by a properly staffed team, not one dependent on individual endurance.
In September 2025, Dr Oluwafemi Rotifa, 28, died after being found unresponsive in a call room at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital. The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) linked his death to a reported 72-hour call, while the Nigerian Medical Association in Rivers State said he had been unwell and off duty. The case renewed the scrutiny of doctors’ call hours.
A Longstanding Workforce Problem
The Federal Government was already examining excessive working hours when the case returned the issue to public attention. In May 2024, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare acknowledged the strain on doctors; three months later, the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration provided for reasonable hours, health checks and mental health support. Yet, resident doctors continued to report prolonged calls, casual employment, unpaid allowances and staff shortages. In October 2025, NARD capped continuous calls at 24 hours and required a call-free period afterwards.
