Senate moves to integrate e-health services in Nigeria hospitals

The Nigerian Senate has passed a bill for its second reading, aiming to create a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework for the development and integration of electronic health services across the country.

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Nigeria cannot afford to remain on the margins of the global digital health transformation.

Senator Jibrin Barau, the bill's sponsor and deputy senate president, stated that the proposed legislation would provide the necessary legal foundation for a modern, technology-driven healthcare system. He emphasized that digital healthcare is globally indispensable for improving service delivery and that Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind in this transformation. The bill seeks to address existing challenges such as paper-based records, fragmented patient information, and limited access to specialists.

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This bill provides the legal framework needed to modernise healthcare delivery in our hospitals.

Barau highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the critical importance of telemedicine, remote consultations, and electronic health information systems for maintaining healthcare continuity during emergencies. He noted that the current absence of comprehensive legislation has led to fragmented implementation and uncertainty regarding legal responsibilities in digital healthcare delivery. The bill intends to enable telemedicine, allowing patients in remote communities to consult with qualified healthcare professionals without extensive travel, thereby improving access and reducing the strain on tertiary hospitals.

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Through telemedicine, patients in remote communities will consult qualified healthcare professionals without travelling long distances.

Furthermore, the legislation is expected to strengthen data protection, enhance disease surveillance, reduce waiting times through electronic appointment systems, and stimulate innovation within Nigeria's digital economy. Senators Mohammed Monguno and Orji Uzor Kalu supported the bill, emphasizing its potential to safeguard medical records, align Nigeria's e-health services with international best practices, expand access to medical services, and alleviate the burden of distance for patients in underserved communities.

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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.