The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria has raised strong opposition to a proposed health reform bill before the National Assembly, warning it could destabilise Nigeria’s healthcare system and compromise patient safety.

The bill, titled Executive Bill HB:2701, alongside a related Senate version, seeks to amend key provisions of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria Act, particularly those defining governance and scope of practice.

Speaking in Abuja, AMLSN President, Casmir Ifeanyi, described the proposed amendment as “a dangerous regression disguised as reform,” arguing that it is inconsistent with global best practices and harmful to healthcare delivery.

At the centre of the controversy is the proposed restructuring of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, including expanding its governing board to accommodate non-specialists and increasing political influence. Ifeanyi warned that this would erode professional independence and weaken regulatory standards.

He also criticised plans to remove the requirement that the council’s chairman be a Fellow of the profession, saying it could allow non-experts to control critical healthcare systems.

The association further faulted provisions seeking to include the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria in the council’s governance, arguing that it violates global norms of independent professional regulation.

Another concern raised was a clause limiting the role of laboratory scientists in diagnosis, which, Ifeanyi said, contradicts scientific evidence, noting that over 70 per cent of clinical decisions rely on laboratory results.

The AMLSN warned that additional provisions in a related bill could transfer specialised laboratory functions, such as molecular diagnostics and genetic testing, to medical practitioners, describing the move as legislative overreach that could endanger patient care.

The group also cautioned that the amendments could undermine compliance with international standards such as ISO 15189:2022 and reverse gains made in strengthening Nigeria’s laboratory capacity following outbreaks like Ebola and COVID-19.

It called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to halt the legislative process and allow for broader stakeholder consultation, stressing that healthcare reforms must be guided by scientific evidence and global best practices.