Health workers in Abuja staged a protest on Thursday against a controversial bill at the National Assembly seeking to repeal the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act.
The proposed legislation, known as HB 2695, has drawn strong opposition from professionals across Nigeria’s health sector.
The protesters, under the umbrella of the Joint Health Sector Unions and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations, rejected the bill.
According to them, the legislation would place other healthcare professionals under the authority of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
Meanwhile, the health workers gathered at the Unity Fountain, where they carried placards and sang solidarity songs to express their grievances.
Their demonstration highlighted growing tension within the health sector over regulatory control.
Furthermore, the protesters argued that Nigeria’s health sector currently operates under multiple professional regulatory bodies.
However, they warned that the new bill would centralise authority in the MDCN and give medical doctors control over other health professionals.
As a result, they fear the move could undermine professional independence and disrupt the balance within the sector.
The protest reflects wider concerns among healthcare workers about policy changes affecting their roles and autonomy.
Therefore, stakeholders continue to call for broader consultation before any major regulatory reforms.
As debates continue at the National Assembly, health workers are expected to maintain pressure on lawmakers.
For now, the fate of the bill remains uncertain, while discussions around healthcare regulation intensify.
