Tackle economic hardship, insecurity, health workers urge FG

The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) has called on the Federal Government to urgently tackle worsening economic hardship, rising energy costs, and insecurity across the country. The union also issued a strong warning to the National Assembly against proceeding with proposed amendments to laws establishing health regulatory councils, deeming the move potentially destabilizing to the health sector.

These resolutions were detailed in a communiqué following the union's statutory National Executive Council meeting. NUAHP President Dr. Kamal Ibrahim expressed the leadership's commitment to protecting members' welfare, rights, and working conditions. A central concern highlighted was the ongoing effort by the National Assembly to amend the Acts of Parliament that establish health regulatory councils.

Ibrahim alleged that the proposed amendments would unfairly place medical and dental practitioners in supervisory roles over other healthcare professions. He described this as a discriminatory and harmful move that would create an "apartheid regime" within Nigeria's health sector. The union emphasized that healthcare professions are distinct and require independent regulatory structures.

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The NEC observed the danger of the ongoing attempt by the National Assembly to amend the Acts of Parliament establishing the Health Regulatory Councils, thereby foisting an apartheid regime in Nigeria’s Health Sector by imposing Medical and Dental Practitioners over the professional regulatory control of other healthcare professions.

The NUAHP urged lawmakers to suspend consideration of the Health Sector Executive Bills 2026, citing pending litigation related to aspects of the proposed legislation. They warned that legislative action while court cases are ongoing could violate parliamentary rules and undermine confidence in the legislative process. "We therefore urge the National Assembly to stop further consideration of these Health Sector Executive Bills 2026 as currently articulated in the greater interest of peace and stability of Nigeria’s Health Sector Ecosystem," Ibrahim stated.

The union also referenced Senate Standing Order 52(5), which discourages debate on matters pending before courts. They believe that immediate implementation of policies addressing gaps in internship training and improving opportunities for young health professionals nationwide is necessary. The NUAHP President encouraged healthcare workers to uphold professional ethics.

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We therefore urge the National Assembly to stop further consideration of these Health Sector Executive Bills 2026 as currently articulated in the greater interest of peace and stability of Nigeria’s Health Sector Ecosystem.