The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) has expressed concern over the proposed Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) bill, urging its suspension pending wider stakeholder consultation.

This is contained in a statement by the President of NSP, Oyinlola Odusanya, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mr Odusanya said that the bill contained provisions that could create regulatory overlap and conflict with existing laws governing physiotherapy and rehabilitation practice.

“Section 8(1) grants sweeping authority to MDCN, potentially overriding existing laws and encroaching on the statutory functions of other regulatory bodies, including the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board of Nigeria (MRTB).

“This provision risks creating legal conflicts, weakening established mandates, and undermining the autonomy of physiotherapy and other rehabilitation professions within Nigeria’s healthcare system,” he said.

He described as a major concern the clause granting overarching powers to MDCN, noting that it could undermine the statutory mandate of MRTB.

He also raised concerns over the bill’s expansion into digital health, including telemedicine and remote rehabilitation services, saying unclear boundaries could create confusion in regulating physiotherapy services delivered through digital platforms.

The NSP president further said the bill empowers the regulation of therapeutic technologies commonly used in physiotherapy.

He added that such provisions could reclassify physiotherapy modalities as medical practice and affect professional autonomy.

Mr Odusanya said that the broad definition of medical practice in the bill risked absorbing multiple healthcare disciplines into one regulatory framework, which could erode established professional boundaries and disrupt interdisciplinary collaboration.

He also faulted the MRTB Amendment Bill, describing it as weak and inadequate, noting that it failed to strengthen regulatory authority or address emerging trends in rehabilitation practice.

Mr Odusanya called on the National Assembly to suspend both bills and engage stakeholders in developing balanced healthcare legislation.

He reaffirmed the society’s commitment to protecting professional integrity and promoting patient-centred healthcare delivery.

(NAN)