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 in 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 capable of improving access to medical services, enhancing efficiency and raising the quality of healthcare delivery.
Barau said the bill aims to create a comprehensive framework for electronic health services, noting that digital healthcare has become indispensable globally in improving medical service delivery.
According to him, despite investments in the health sector, Nigeria’s healthcare system continues 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 the continuity of healthcare services during emergencies.
He added that the absence of comprehensive legislation had 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 said.
According to him, the bill would also strengthen data protection, improve disease surveillance, reduce waiting times through electronic appointment systems and encourage innovation within Nigeria’s digital economy.
He said 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 necessary legal backing for the deployment of 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) described the bill as timely, arguing that digital healthcare would improve access to medical services and reduce the burden of distance on patients.
“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.
Also supporting the bill, Senator Tony Nwoye (NDC, Anambra North) said the legislation would improve healthcare access, particularly in rural communities where specialist medical services remain inadequate.
“The bill will reduce pressure on tertiary hospitals, improve access to telemedicine and ensure patients can easily retrieve their medical records,” Nwoye said.
Following overwhelming support from lawmakers, the Senate passed 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 panel to report back within four weeks.
