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The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish a legal and regulatory framework for the development, coordination, and integration of electronic health services across Nigeria.
Leading the debate, the sponsor of the bill and Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, said the proposed legislation would provide the legal foundation for a modern, technology-driven healthcare system which will improve access, efficiency and the quality of medical services.
Barau said the bill seeks to create a comprehensive framework for electronic healthcare, noting that digital health has become an essential component of healthcare delivery worldwide.
He observed that despite investments in the health sector, Nigeria’s healthcare system continues to grapple with paper-based medical records, fragmented patient information and limited access to specialist care.
“Nigeria cannot afford to remain on the margins of the global digital health transformation. This bill provides the legal framework needed to modernise healthcare delivery in our hospitals,” he said.
According to him, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of telemedicine, remote consultations and electronic health information systems in maintaining healthcare services during emergencies.
He added that the absence of comprehensive legislation has resulted in fragmented implementation, inconsistent standards and uncertainty regarding legal responsibilities in digital healthcare delivery.
Barau said the bill would enable patients in remote communities to consult qualified healthcare professionals through telemedicine without travelling long distances, improving access to quality healthcare while reducing pressure on tertiary hospitals.
Credit: Premium Times
He also noted that the proposed law would strengthen data protection, enhance disease surveillance, reduce waiting times through electronic appointment systems and promote innovation within Nigeria’s digital economy.
The deputy senate president said the legislation aligns with the Nigerian Government’s digital transformation agenda, universal health coverage goals, the Nigeria Data Protection Act and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Supporting the bill, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North) said it would provide the legal backing needed to deploy electronic healthcare services nationwide.
He said the legislation would safeguard medical records and align Nigeria’s digital healthcare system with international best practices.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North) described the bill as timely, saying digital healthcare would improve access to medical services and ease the burden of distance for patients.
Senator Tony Nwoye (NDC, Anambra North) also backed the proposal, stating that it would improve healthcare access in rural communities where specialist medical services remain limited.
He added that the bill would reduce pressure on tertiary hospitals, expand access to telemedicine and enable patients to retrieve their medical records more easily.
Following widespread support during the debate, the Senate passed the bill to second reading by voice vote.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio subsequently referred the legislation to the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), directing it to report back within four weeks.
