AN APPRAISAL OF THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR TELEMEDICINE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Telemedicine is an innovative approach to delivering healthcare services through the use of technology, which has become increasingly popular in Nigeria. With the aid of technology, more lives are saved, and more complications are resolved. Diagnoses, surgical procedures, prescriptions, consultations have all taken on new forms. Health technologies such as telemedicine render a plethora of possibilities that can improve affordability, accessibility, availability, and quality healthcare services. This work examined the legal appraisal of telemedicine in Nigeria, it highlights the absence of a specific legislation regulating telemedicine in the country and the implications of this for the practice of telemedicine. This work also examined the concept and development of telemedicine in Nigeria and further emphasizes the need for a legal framework. This work further discussed jurisdictions such as Malaysia where telemedicine has been successfully integrated. Consequently, this work adopted the qualitative methodology of research such as examining primary sources such as the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation, and secondary sources such as learned journal articles, textbooks, periodical articles, and the likes. The results show that, owing to the weak and fragmented state of the healthcare system, there is a pressing need for increased awareness of the benefits of telemedicine, as well as funding a legislation aimed at controlling the practice. Hence, this research work draws the curtains by strongly suggesting that state and federal governments should work together to formulate an appropriate regulatory framework that will incorporate telemedicine into the Nigeria healthcare system.