Health sector unions operating under the Joint Health Sector Unions and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations have announced plans to hold a nationwide protest in Abuja over the proposed Health Sector Executive Bills 2026, which are currently before the National Assembly.
The protest, scheduled for Thursday, March 26, is expected to attract healthcare professionals from across the country to the National Assembly Complex, with participants set to gather first at the Unity Fountain in Maitama, Abuja.
In an official notice, Joint Health Sector Unions directed its affiliated unions and professional bodies to mobilise their members in large numbers. The union warned that the proposed legislation could significantly impact healthcare workers and the overall structure of the sector.
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Speaking on the planned action, the National Secretary of JOHESU, Martin Egbanubi, said the protest is aimed at raising public awareness about the possible consequences of the bills.
He urged members to inform the public about how the proposed legislation could affect their professions as well as the broader health sector, describing the protest as a crucial moment for healthcare workers and calling for full participation.
The union explained that the bills, which have already passed first reading in the Senate, have generated concern among health professionals who believe they may introduce changes to existing structures, job roles and welfare conditions within the sector.
JOHESU, which includes major unions such as the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria and the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals, has long been a key player in labour disputes within the country’s health sector.
Over the years, the group has engaged the Federal Government on issues relating to salary structures, hazard allowances and concerns about the influence of certain professional groups in shaping health policies.
Tensions within Nigeria’s healthcare system have persisted for a long time, often resulting in strikes and disruptions that affect millions of citizens. These disputes are usually linked to concerns about workers’ welfare, professional recognition, funding challenges and the management of health institutions.
The introduction of the Health Sector Executive Bills 2026 comes at a time when the country’s healthcare system is already facing significant challenges, including a shortage of personnel, migration of professionals abroad and inadequate infrastructure, all of which continue to put pressure on service delivery.
