The 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 lay the foundation for a modern, technology-driven healthcare system aimed at improving access to quality medical services and enhancing efficiency in healthcare delivery.
Barau said the bill would create a comprehensive framework for electronic health services, noting that digital healthcare had become essential to improving medical service delivery globally.
He observed that despite investments in the health sector, Nigeria’s healthcare system continued to face challenges, including 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 importance of telemedicine, remote consultations and electronic health information systems in ensuring uninterrupted healthcare during emergencies.
He said the absence of a comprehensive legal framework had resulted in fragmented implementation, inconsistent standards and uncertainty over 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.
According to him, the bill would also strengthen data protection, enhance disease surveillance, reduce waiting times through electronic appointment systems and promote innovation within Nigeria’s digital economy.
He added that the proposed legislation aligns with the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda, universal health coverage objectives, the Nigeria Data Protection Act and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North) said the bill would provide the legal backing required for the deployment of electronic healthcare services nationwide.
“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.
Also supporting the bill, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North) described the legislation as timely, saying digital healthcare would improve access to medical services, particularly for residents of underserved communities.
“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) said the proposed law would improve healthcare delivery, especially in rural communities where access to specialist medical services remains limited.
“The bill will reduce pressure on tertiary hospitals, improve access to telemedicine and ensure patients can easily retrieve their medical records,” he said.
Following broad support from lawmakers, the Senate passed the bill for second reading through a voice vote.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio subsequently referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), directing it to report back to the chamber within four weeks.