The Senate has 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.
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who sponsored the bill, said the proposed legislation would provide the legal foundation for a modern, technology-driven healthcare system aimed at improving access, efficiency and the quality of medical services across the country.
Barau said digital healthcare had become essential globally in enhancing healthcare delivery, adding that the bill would create a structured framework for the adoption of electronic health services in Nigeria.
He noted that despite investments in the health sector, the country’s healthcare system continues to face challenges such as paper-based medical records, fragmented patient information and limited access to specialist care.
The Deputy Senate President added that the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of telemedicine, remote consultations and electronic health information systems in maintaining healthcare services during emergencies.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North) said the bill would provide the legal backing needed for the effective 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.
Following widespread support from lawmakers, the Senate passed the bill for second reading through a voice vote.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio thereafter referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) for further legislative review, with a directive to report back within four weeks.
