Senate Advances Bill To Digitise Nigeria’s Healthcare System

The Senate has passed for second reading a bill seeking to create a legal framework for electronic health services in Nigeria.

The bill, sponsored by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, is aimed at coordinating and regulating digital healthcare, including electronic medical records, telemedicine, digital appointment systems and health data use.

Barau told lawmakers that Nigeria’s health system still depends heavily on paper records and fragmented patient information. He said a national framework would help hospitals improve access, reduce waiting time and support patients in rural communities who need specialist care.

The bill is titled A Bill for an Act to Provide for a Comprehensive Legal and Regulatory Framework for the Development, Coordination and Integration of Electronic Health Services in Nigeria and for Related Matters, 2026.

After the voice vote, Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Health for further work. The committee was asked to report back within four weeks.

Sources: Punch, Vanguard