Nigerian Senate Advances National E-Health Bill to Digitise Healthcare

The Nigerian Senate has advanced a bill seeking to establish a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for electronic health services, marking a significant step towards the digital transformation of the country’s healthcare system.

The National E-Health Bill, 2026, sponsored by Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin, passed its second reading during plenary after receiving unanimous support from senators. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), which is expected to report back to the chamber within two weeks for further legislative consideration.

Leading the debate on the bill, Barau said digital technologies have become essential tools for improving healthcare delivery worldwide, enabling countries to expand access to medical services, lower healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes. He noted that technologies such as electronic medical records, telemedicine, artificial intelligence, mobile health applications, electronic prescriptions, wearable health devices and integrated health information systems are transforming healthcare systems across both developed and emerging economies.

According to the Deputy Senate President, Nigeria must embrace this global shift to address persistent challenges within its healthcare system. He observed that medical records in many health facilities remain paper-based, leading to the loss of patient information, repeated diagnostic tests, treatment delays and avoidable medical errors. He also pointed to the lack of interoperability between healthcare institutions, which makes the secure exchange of patient information difficult.

Barau said the proposed legislation also seeks to improve access to specialist healthcare for millions of Nigerians living in rural and underserved communities through the adoption of telemedicine. He argued that remote consultations would enable patients to receive specialist care without travelling long distances, easing pressure on tertiary healthcare facilities while expanding access to quality medical services.

He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the critical importance of digital health technologies, with telemedicine, remote consultations and electronic health information systems helping to maintain healthcare delivery while reducing unnecessary physical contact. Despite increasing adoption of digital health solutions by hospitals, private healthcare providers and technology companies, he said Nigeria still lacks a comprehensive legal framework governing electronic healthcare services.

According to Barau, the absence of clear legislation has resulted in fragmented implementation of digital health initiatives, inconsistent standards, weak governance structures, inadequate interoperability and uncertainty regarding the legal responsibilities of organisations providing electronic healthcare services.

The proposed legislation places strong emphasis on the protection of patient information by establishing safeguards to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and security of medical records. It also aims to improve healthcare delivery through digital appointment systems and electronic patient management, strengthen disease surveillance and public health emergency response through better data collection and analysis, and stimulate innovation, job creation and growth within Nigeria’s digital economy.

Barau said the bill aligns with the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda, the National Digital Health Strategic Framework, the National Health Act, Universal Health Coverage objectives, the Nigeria Data Protection Act and the country’s commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those relating to health, innovation and infrastructure.

If enacted, the National E-Health Bill, 2026, would provide Nigeria with a comprehensive legal foundation for the development, regulation, coordination and integration of electronic health services, supporting the country’s transition to a more modern, efficient and technology-driven healthcare system.