The Digest:
The Association of Radiographers of Nigeria (ARN) has formally rejected the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026 (HB 2695). Speaking at a press conference in Kano, ARN President Dr. Musa Dembele described the bill as a "legislative assault" designed to dismantle the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria and subjugate the profession to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). The association raised alarms over "conceptual theft" in redefining radiography and criticized a provision requiring 70% of practicing fees to be shared with the Nigerian Medical Association.
Key Points:
- This dispute highlights the deepening "inter-professional rivalry" within Nigeria’s healthcare sector, moving beyond simple administrative friction into a battle for legal existence.
- By seeking to merge specialized regulatory boards under a single council, the bill risks eroding the professional self-regulation that ensures global standards in medical imaging.
- If passed, the resulting friction between radiographers and physicians could paralyze clinical workflows and discourage specialization, ultimately compromising patient safety and the precision of diagnostic services across the country.
The focus now turns to the National Assembly and whether lawmakers will heed calls for a stakeholders’ summit to harmonize health regulations. The unified opposition from JOHESU and other health unions suggests a looming industrial action if these professional boundaries are not respected.
Sources: The Punch
