Health Workers Warn National Assembly Over Proposed Regulatory Law Changes

(health workers. Photo by Vanguard News)

The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) has cautioned the National Assembly against proceeding with proposed amendments to laws governing health regulatory councils, warning that the changes could destabilize the health sector.

The union's position was contained in a communiqué issued after its National Executive Council meeting held virtually, attended by council representatives from health institutions across all 36 states and the FCT, as well as leaders of affiliated healthcare professional associations.

At the heart of the union's concern is its claim that the proposed amendments would place medical and dental practitioners in supervisory roles over other healthcare professions a move it described as discriminatory and likened to imposing an "apartheid regime" within Nigeria's health sector.

The union argued that each healthcare profession is distinct and should retain its own independent regulatory structure.

The NUAHP also urged lawmakers to suspend consideration of the Health Sector Executive Bills 2026, noting that aspects of the proposed legislation are currently subject to ongoing litigation. It referenced Senate Standing Order 52(5), which discourages legislative debate on matters before the courts where such discussions could prejudice parties involved in the cases.

On economic matters, the union called on President Bola Tinubu to pursue sweeping reforms to address rising energy costs, economic hardship, and worsening insecurity.

It blamed successive governments' failure to make local refineries functional and boost domestic petroleum production for leaving the country exposed to external economic shocks.

The union also accused the federal government of failing to fully honour agreements reached with health workers following the suspension of an 84-day strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions in November 2025, specifically citing the non-implementation of the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure agreed upon when the industrial action was called off in February 2026.

The leadership assured members that engagements with relevant government ministries and agencies are ongoing to secure the implementation of outstanding agreements and improve working conditions across the sector.