Protesting health workers today in Abuja
Health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations staged a protest at Unity Fountain in Abuja on Thursday against a proposed health sector regulatory bill currently before the National Assembly.
The demonstrators argue that the bill, if passed, would place all medical and allied health professions under the regulatory authority of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, effectively undermining the autonomy of existing professional regulatory bodies for nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, and other health practitioners.
“Each health profession already has established regulatory frameworks that safeguard standards and professional practice.
The bill, as drafted, seeks to make other health professionals second-class to medical doctors,” union leaders said.
The protesters marched through parts of the capital, carrying placards and chanting, before planning to proceed to the National Assembly to present a petition outlining their objections and proposed amendments.
They emphasised that their protest is not against regulation per se, but against the centralisation of authority that could diminish the roles and recognition of allied health professionals.
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The demonstration highlights long-standing tensions in Nigeria’s health sector over professional equity, regulatory oversight, and career recognition issues that have previously triggered strikes and industrial actions affecting healthcare delivery nationwide.
Union leaders warned that they will continue mobilising and engaging with lawmakers to ensure their concerns are incorporated into any final version of the bill, stressing the importance of collaboration for legislation affecting millions of Nigerians who rely on health services.
The protest underscores the growing activism among health workers in Nigeria, reflecting a sector increasingly determined to defend professional autonomy while advocating for reforms that enhance healthcare delivery without subordinating allied professions to medical doctors.
Sun
