ABUJA, NIGERIA – Hundreds of health workers took to the streets of Abuja on Thursday to protest a proposed regulatory bill which they argue threatens to undermine professional standards and create bureaucratic hurdles in the healthcare sector.
The protesters, comprising doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals, marched to the National Assembly complex carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Hands Off Our Professions” and “No to Overregulation.” The demonstrators called on lawmakers to withdraw the bill, which they claim seeks to centralize regulatory powers under a single body, potentially sidelining existing professional councils.
“This bill will stifle our professions and create confusion in the health sector. We will not allow it,” a spokesperson for the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) said.
The proposed legislation, which has passed first reading in the House of Representatives, aims to establish a new regulatory framework for health professionals. Proponents argue it will streamline oversight and improve accountability, but critics contend it could lead to jurisdictional conflicts and weaken established professional standards.
The National Assembly has yet to schedule a public hearing on the bill. Lawmakers have assured the protesters that their concerns would be taken into consideration as legislative processes continue.
The protest disrupted vehicular movement around the Three Arms Zone for several hours before demonstrators dispersed peacefully.
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