Lilian Ugwu
A brewing crisis in Nigeria’s health sector came to the fore on Thursday as members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations staged a coordinated protest in Abuja against a proposed reform bill before the National Assembly.
The protesters, who assembled at the Unity Fountain, warned that the legislation could trigger deep divisions within the healthcare system if passed in its current form.
At the centre of their concerns is a provision that would place multiple health professions under the supervision of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. According to the unions, such restructuring risks concentrating authority in a way that sidelines other professional groups.
Demonstrators argued that Nigeria’s healthcare system already operates through distinct regulatory councils tailored to specific professions, and any attempt to subsume them under a single body could disrupt existing structures and professional balance.
They also expressed fears that the proposed law may institutionalise inequality within the sector, alleging that it could elevate medical doctors above other practitioners and diminish the roles of allied health professionals.
Chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards, the protesters called on lawmakers to halt the legislative process and engage stakeholders more broadly before taking further steps.
Union leaders indicated that the demonstration is only the first phase of a wider mobilisation, as health workers from across the country have been urged to join the campaign against the Health Sector Executive Bills 2026.
The protesters are expected to march to the National Assembly complex to formally present their demands, insisting that any reform must reflect fairness, inclusivity, and respect for all healthcare professions.
With tensions rising, observers warn that failure to address these grievances could escalate into wider industrial actions, potentially impacting healthcare services nationwide.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.