JOHESU warns National Assembly against health law amendments, citing risks of “apartheid-like” regulation and destabilisation of Nigeria’s healthcare system

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has urged the National Assembly to halt proposed amendments to key health sector laws, warning that the changes could create an “apartheid-like” regulatory structure in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

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The statement was jointly signed by JOHESU National Chairman, Kabiru Ado Minjibir, and General Secretary, Martin Egbanubi.

JOHESU accused some medical practitioners of attempting to dominate regulatory oversight across multiple health professions through legislative amendments.

The union emphasised that Nigeria’s healthcare system is inherently multidisciplinary, relying on collaboration among various professional groups with legally defined areas of competence and regulation to safeguard patients and uphold ethical practice.

The union cited several instances where doctors allegedly resisted inspections by regulatory bodies such as the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, and Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria.

JOHESU noted that such disputes have often ended in court, where judges consistently affirmed the authority of the respective councils.

Highlighting past legal precedents, JOHESU recalled a 2018 suit by the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria seeking judicial approval for the Medical and Dental Council to regulate clinical laboratory practice. The Federal High Court struck out the case for lack of evidence.

Similarly, the union referenced a 2016 National Industrial Court ruling affirming that medical laboratory science is an independent profession whose practitioners cannot be subordinated to another discipline.

The union further criticised provisions in the proposed Medical and Dental Practitioners Bill 2026, warning that they could restrict community health extension workers and global practices allowing trained pharmacists and other professionals to prescribe certain medicines, which help reduce healthcare waiting times.

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JOHESU argued that subordinating other health professions to medical practitioners would destabilise the sector and urged the National Assembly to reject the bills “in the interest of peace and stability” in Nigeria’s healthcare system, noting that litigation related to earlier disputes remains on appeal.