Nigeria has moved a step closer to embracing digital healthcare as the Senate on Wednesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish a comprehensive legal framework for electronic health services across the country.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, aims to provide the legal backing for the development, regulation and integration of digital healthcare services to improve access to quality medical care.
If passed into law, the bill will pave the way for the widespread adoption of telemedicine, electronic medical records, digital health information management and seamless sharing of health data among healthcare institutions nationwide.
Leading the debate, lawmakers described the bill as a major step towards modernising Nigeria’s healthcare system and aligning it with global best practices.
After considering its general principles during plenary, senators unanimously supported the proposal, allowing it to scale second reading.
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, thereafter referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) for further legislative scrutiny.
The committee was directed to engage relevant stakeholders, examine the provisions of the bill and report back to the Senate within four weeks.
When eventually signed into law, the legislation is expected to establish a robust legal and regulatory framework for electronic healthcare services, improve access to medical care through digital platforms, strengthen the management and protection of patients’ health records and enhance coordination among healthcare providers.
The bill is also expected to encourage innovation in the health sector, improve service delivery and bring Nigeria’s healthcare system in line with global digital health standards.
