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 healthcare services across Nigeria.
Leading the debate, the sponsor of the bill and Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, said the proposed legislation would provide the legal foundation for a modern, technology-driven healthcare system capable of improving access to medical services, increasing efficiency and enhancing the quality of healthcare delivery.
Barau noted that despite investments in the health sector, Nigeria’s healthcare system continues to face challenges such as paper-based medical records, fragmented patient information and limited access to specialist care.
He said Nigeria must embrace the global shift towards digital healthcare, stressing that the bill would modernise healthcare delivery and strengthen the country’s health infrastructure.
According to him, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of telemedicine, remote consultations and electronic health information systems in ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services during emergencies.
He added that the absence of a comprehensive legal framework has resulted in fragmented implementation, inconsistent standards and uncertainty over legal responsibilities in digital healthcare delivery.
Barau explained that the bill would enable patients in remote communities to consult qualified healthcare professionals through telemedicine, reducing travel burdens and easing pressure on tertiary healthcare facilities.
He also said the legislation would enhance data protection, improve disease surveillance, reduce patient waiting times through electronic appointment systems and encourage innovation in Nigeria’s digital economy. He added that the proposal aligns with the Federal 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 said it would provide the legal backing needed for the nationwide deployment of electronic healthcare services while safeguarding patients’ medical records in line with international standards.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu described the bill as timely, noting that digital healthcare would expand access to medical services, particularly for people in underserved communities.
Similarly, Senator Tony Nwoye said the legislation would improve healthcare access in rural areas, strengthen telemedicine services and make it easier for patients to retrieve their medical records.
Following broad support from lawmakers, the Senate approved 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 the committee to submit its report within four weeks.
