The Senate has passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework for the development, coordination and integration of electronic healthcare services in Nigeria.

Leading the debate, the sponsor of the bill and Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, 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 nationwide.

Barau explained that despite significant investments in the health sector, Nigeria continues to face challenges such as paper-based medical records, fragmented patient information and limited access to specialist healthcare, particularly in underserved communities, and said the proposed law would enable patients in remote areas to consult qualified healthcare professionals through telemedicine, reducing the need for long-distance travel and easing pressure on tertiary healthcare facilities.

Supporting the bill, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North) said the legislation would provide the legal backing required for nationwide deployment of electronic healthcare services. Following widespread support, the Senate passed the bill for second reading through a voice vote, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred it to the Senate Committee on Health, directing the committee to report back within four weeks.