HEALTH WORKERS STAGE PROTEST OVER CONTROVERSIAL REFORM BILLS AT NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TODAY
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
Health sector unions, under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations, have announced a nationwide protest in Abuja against the proposed Health Sector Executive Bills 2026 currently before the National Assembly.
The demonstration, slated for Thursday, March 26, is expected to attract healthcare professionals from across the country to the National Assembly Complex, with participants assembling at the Unity Fountain in Maitama, Abuja.
In a statement obtained by our correspondent on Thursday morning, JOHESU directed its affiliate unions and professional bodies to mobilise members in large numbers, warning that the proposed legislation could significantly impact healthcare workers and the broader health sector.
JOHESU’s National Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, who signed the notice, said the protest is aimed at drawing public attention to the potential consequences of the bills.
“Our members are expected to sensitise the public on the implications of the Health Sector Executive Bills 2026 on their various professions and the health sector as a whole,” said Martin Egbanubi.
He described the planned protest as a crucial step for healthcare workers and called for widespread participation.
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He further appealed for strong turnout, stating that members’ participation in what he described as a critical and defining struggle is both necessary and highly encouraged.
The union noted that the proposed bills, which have passed first reading in the Senate, have sparked apprehension among health workers over potential changes to existing structures, professional roles, and welfare conditions within the sector.
JOHESU, a coalition of key health sector unions such as the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria and the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals, has historically been at the forefront of labour disputes in Nigeria’s health industry.
Over the years, the group has engaged the Federal Government on issues including salary frameworks, hazard allowances, and concerns about the dominance of certain professional groups in policymaking.
Industrial tensions within Nigeria’s healthcare system have persisted for years, often resulting in strikes and disruptions that impact millions. These disputes are commonly driven by concerns over welfare, professional recognition, funding shortfalls, and governance of health institutions.
The introduction of the Health Sector Executive Bills 2026 comes amid ongoing challenges in the sector, including workforce shortages, brain drain, and inadequate infrastructure. The continued migration of healthcare professionals abroad in search of improved working conditions has further strained the system.
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