Health workers staged a protest Thursday at the Unity Fountain in Abuja, opposing the ongoing bill at the National Assembly to repeal the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act, known as HB 2695.
The protesters, organized under the Joint Health Sector Unions and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations, warned that the bill, if passed, would place other medical professionals under the control of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
Armed with placards and singing solidarity songs, the health workers demanded that lawmakers reconsider the legislation, citing risks to professional autonomy and patient care.
“This bill threatens the independence of other health professionals and gives undue control to medical doctors,” said one union representative. “It undermines the collaborative structure of Nigeria’s health sector.”
Nigeria’s health sector is currently regulated by multiple professional bodies, each overseeing specific cadres of medical and allied health personnel. Critics argue that HB 2695 would centralize regulatory power under the MDCN, eroding existing checks and balances.
The protest reflects growing concern among health workers about legislative changes perceived as favoring one professional group over others.
Organizers said they will continue advocacy efforts to ensure any reform maintains transparency, professional independence, and quality of care.
Lawmakers have yet to release a timeline for debate or passage of HB 2695. Meanwhile, unions are calling on the National Assembly to engage stakeholders before any legislative changes take effect.
“The future of Nigeria’s health services depends on inclusive, well-considered regulation,” a spokesperson said. “We cannot allow a law that centralizes power to compromise patient safety and professional standards.”
The protest adds to a series of demonstrations in Abuja this year, highlighting growing tension between health professionals and the federal government over regulatory reforms and sector oversight.
