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.
The proposed legislation is designed to provide the legal foundation for a modern, technology-driven healthcare system capable of improving access to quality medical services, enhancing efficiency and strengthening healthcare delivery nationwide.
Opening the debate on the bill, its sponsor and Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, said the legislation would lay the groundwork for the full adoption of electronic healthcare services in Nigeria, bringing the country in line with global best practices in digital medicine.
According to Barau, digital healthcare has become an essential component of modern medical systems around the world, making it imperative for Nigeria to establish the necessary legal framework to support its implementation.
He noted that despite substantial investments in the nation’s health sector, Nigeria continues to grapple with outdated healthcare practices, including dependence on paper-based patient records, fragmented medical information systems and inadequate access to specialist healthcare services.
“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.
Barau observed that the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the critical role of telemedicine, electronic medical records and remote consultations in ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services during emergencies.
He argued that the absence of a unified legal framework has resulted in inconsistent implementation of electronic health systems, varying operational standards and uncertainty regarding legal responsibilities among healthcare providers.
The Deputy Senate President explained that the proposed legislation would facilitate the expansion of telemedicine services, enabling patients living in rural and underserved communities to consult qualified medical professionals without travelling long distances.
“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,” he added.
Barau further stated that the bill would strengthen the protection of patients’ health data, enhance disease monitoring and surveillance, reduce waiting times through electronic appointment scheduling and encourage innovation within Nigeria’s digital economy.
He also stressed that the proposed law aligns with the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda, the country’s universal health coverage objectives, the Nigeria Data Protection Act and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Supporting the bill, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North) said the legislation would provide the legal backing required to fully deploy electronic healthcare services across the country.
“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.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North) also backed the proposal, describing it as timely and necessary for expanding healthcare access.
He noted that digital healthcare would help bridge the gap between medical practitioners and patients, particularly in communities where healthcare facilities are limited.
“Medical services are expensive and difficult to access in many communities. With this digital approach, we will reach more Nigerians and improve healthcare delivery,” Kalu said.
Similarly, Senator Tony Nwoye (NDC, Anambra North) expressed support for the bill, saying it would significantly improve healthcare delivery in rural communities where specialist services remain scarce.
According to him, electronic healthcare systems would ease pressure on tertiary health institutions while making it easier for patients to access consultations and retrieve their medical records whenever necessary.
“The bill will reduce pressure on tertiary hospitals, improve access to telemedicine and ensure patients can easily retrieve their medical records,” Nwoye said.
Following broad support from lawmakers, the Senate approved the bill for second reading through a voice vote.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio subsequently referred the proposed legislation to the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), directing the committee to conduct further legislative work and submit its report within four weeks.
