The Senate on Wednesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish a comprehensive 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 lay the legal foundation for a modern, technology-driven healthcare system aimed at improving access to medical services, enhancing efficiency and raising the quality of healthcare delivery nationwide.
Barau said the bill would create a comprehensive framework for electronic health services, noting that digital healthcare has become essential worldwide in improving the delivery of medical services.
He observed that despite significant investments in the health sector, Nigeria’s healthcare system continues to grapple with challenges such as 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.
The Deputy Senate President noted that the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical role of telemedicine, remote consultations and electronic health information systems in ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services during emergencies.
According to him, the absence of a comprehensive legal framework has led to fragmented implementation, inconsistent standards and uncertainty regarding legal responsibilities in digital healthcare delivery.
“Through telemedicine, patients in remote communities will consult qualified healthcare professionals without travelling long distances. It will improve access to quality healthcare and reduce pressure on tertiary hospitals,” Barau added.
He explained that the bill would also strengthen data protection, improve disease surveillance, reduce waiting times through electronic appointment systems and promote innovation within Nigeria’s digital economy.
Barau said the proposed legislation aligns with the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda, the goal of achieving universal health coverage, the Nigeria Data Protection Act and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Supporting the bill, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North) said it would provide the necessary legal backing for the nationwide deployment of electronic healthcare services.
“The whole world has embraced technology in healthcare delivery. This bill will safeguard medical records and align Nigeria’s electronic healthcare services with international best practices,” Monguno said.
