Health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations are staging a protest in Abuja over a proposed health sector reform bill currently before the National Assembly.
The protesters, who gathered at Unity Fountain, expressed strong opposition to the proposed legislation, warning that it could significantly alter the regulatory structure of Nigeria’s health sector.
According to the demonstrators, the bill seeks to place all medical professions under the control of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, a move they say would undermine the independence of existing professional regulatory bodies.
They argued that each healthcare profession already has its own council and warned that the proposed law could weaken the role of other professional groups within the sector.
The unions further alleged that the bill would create an imbalance in the health system by placing non-physician healthcare professionals in a subordinate position.
The protesters said they plan to proceed to the National Assembly complex to formally present their concerns to lawmakers and demand a review of the proposed legislation.
The demonstration follows earlier notice by the unions of plans to stage a nationwide protest against the proposed Health Sector Executive Bills 2026, which they say could have far-reaching implications for healthcare governance in the country.
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