We have lost many of our colleagues due to stress-related deaths and suicide. This is a heart-wrenching reality that we, as doctors in Nigeria, face daily. The current practice of making doctors continue working the day after a 24-hour on-call shift at the hospital is not only inhumane but also dangerous to both the health professionals and their patients.

According to a study published by the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, long working hours are associated with increased risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders among healthcare workers (JOEM, 2016). Moreover, research from Harvard Medical School suggests that sleep-deprived doctors are more likely to make medical errors (Harvard Medical School, 2012).

We call upon the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to regulate working hours for doctors. It's high time we prioritize the well-being of those who strive tirelessly to ensure ours. Let us put an end to this harmful practice before it claims more lives.

Please sign this petition if you believe in safeguarding our healthcare heroes' mental health and overall well-being.