By Juliet Ezeh
Health sector stakeholders have called for broader consultations on the proposed Medical and Dental Practitioners Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026 (HB 2695), warning that gaps in engagement could trigger regulatory conflicts across Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) made the call while highlighting the need for inclusive reforms that reflect the roles of all healthcare professionals.
In a statement signed by its President, Dr. Oyinlola Felix Odusanya, the Society said ongoing legislative efforts to modernise medical and dental practice must be balanced with existing regulatory frameworks to avoid overlap and confusion.
According to the NSP, insufficient consultation with key stakeholders risks introducing provisions that may conflict with the mandates of established bodies such as the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board of Nigeria (MRTB).
The Society noted that certain clauses in the proposed bill could blur professional boundaries, particularly in areas already regulated by specialised institutions. It stressed that effective healthcare delivery depends on clearly defined roles among professionals, warning that overlapping mandates could weaken coordination and affect service delivery.
The NSP also drew attention to emerging concerns around digital healthcare, including telemedicine and technology-driven services. It explained that without clearly defined regulatory boundaries, innovations such as remote physiotherapy consultations and AI-supported treatments could face uncertainty, potentially slowing progress in Nigeria’s evolving healthcare space.
The Society said it is working with groups like the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) to push for a more inclusive legislative process, noting that stakeholders are advocating a pause in the bill’s progression to allow for deeper engagement with professionals across all healthcare disciplines.
Stakeholders emphasised that inclusive consultation would help prevent regulatory conflicts, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, protect professional roles, and improve patient care outcomes.
While acknowledging the importance of updating Nigeria’s healthcare laws, stakeholders warned against reforms that could centralise authority at the expense of collaboration. The statement noted that healthcare delivery in Nigeria depends on cooperation rather than dominance and urged lawmakers to prioritise dialogue in shaping reforms that affect multiple professions.
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.