The bill seeking to establish a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework for the development, coordination and integration of electronic health services in Nigeria has passed for second reading.
The debate was led by its sponsor and Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, on Wednesday who said the proposed legislation would provide the legal foundation for a modern, technology-driven healthcare system capable of improving access, efficiency and the quality of medical services in Nigerian hospitals.
“Nigeria cannot afford to remain on the margins of the global digital health transformation. This bill provides the legal framework needed to modernize healthcare delivery in our hospitals,” he said.
The Deputy Senate President said the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of telemedicine, remote consultations and electronic health information systems in ensuring continuity of healthcare services during emergencies.
“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.
According to him, despite investments in the health sector, Nigeria’s healthcare system still faces challenges, including paper-based medical records, fragmented patient information and limited access to specialist care.
In his contribution, Sen. Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North) maintained that the bill would provide the legal backing required 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.
To Sen. Tony Nwoye (NDC, Anambra North), the bill would improve access to healthcare, especially in rural communities where specialist medical services remained inadequate.
“The bill will reduce pressure on tertiary hospitals, improve access to telemedicine and ensure patients can easily retrieve their medical records,” Nwoye said.
The Senate passed the bill for second reading by voice vote, giving the massive support it received.
With a mandate to report back within four weeks, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio then referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary).
