Medical staff demonstrate against disputed legislation proposals at National Assembly today

Under the umbrella of the Joint Health Sector Unions and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations, health sector unions have unveiled plans for a nationwide protest in Abuja, targeting the proposed Health Sector Executive Bills 2026, which are currently pending before the National Assembly.

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The protest, slated for Thursday, March 26, aims to bring together healthcare professionals from all over the country at the National Assembly Complex, with participants gathering at the Unity Fountain in Maitama, Abuja.

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In a formal notice obtained by our correspondent on Thursday morning, JOHESU instructed its affiliate unions and professional associations to mobilize their members in large numbers, cautioning that the proposed legislation could have significant consequences for healthcare professionals and the sector as a whole.

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JOHESU's National Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, who signed the notice, emphasized that the protest is necessary to raise public awareness about the potential impact of the bills, stating that members must inform the general public about the effects of the Health Sector Executive Bills 2026 on their respective professions and the health sector in general.

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Egbanubi described the planned action as a critical moment for healthcare workers, urging maximum participation and stating that participation in this historic struggle is highly solicited and essential.

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According to the union, the bills, which have already passed the first reading in the Senate, have sparked concerns among health workers who fear they may alter existing structures, professional roles, and welfare conditions within the sector.

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As a coalition of major health sector unions, including the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria and the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals, JOHESU has historically played a central role in labour disputes within Nigeria's health sector.

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The group has frequently engaged the Federal Government over issues such as salary structures, hazard allowances, and the perceived dominance of certain professional groups in policy decisions affecting the sector, highlighting the complex nature of labour relations in the health sector.

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Tensions within Nigeria's healthcare system have persisted for years, often manifesting in strikes and service disruptions that affect millions of citizens, with disputes typically rooted in concerns over welfare, professional recognition, funding gaps, and governance of health institutions.

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The emergence of the Health Sector Executive Bills 2026 comes at a time when Nigeria's health system is already under strain from workforce shortages, brain drain, and inadequate infrastructure, exacerbating the challenges faced by the sector.

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Many healthcare professionals have continued to migrate abroad in search of better working conditions, further weakening the system and highlighting the need for urgent reforms to address the crisis in Nigeria's health sector.