Health Information Professionals Warn of Risks in Proposed Digital Health Bill
The Association of Health Records and Information Management Practitioners of Nigeria (AHRIMPN) has issued a stark warning regarding a proposed piece of legislation currently before the National Assembly. The association cautions that key provisions within the bill could significantly undermine professional regulation and pose serious threats to the protection of sensitive patient data across Nigeria's healthcare landscape.
Concerns Over Professional Identity and Competency
In a detailed statement released in Abuja on March 29 and signed by National Publicity Secretary Olamigoke Isaac Ajayi, the association's National Executive Council expressed that the proposed Records Officers Registration and Digital Health Bill 2026, if enacted in its present form, could have "significant implications" for the nation's healthcare infrastructure. Following a comprehensive technical review and extensive consultations within the profession, AHRIMPN highlighted several critical areas of concern.
Central to their objections is the bill's proposed designation of practitioners as "records officers"—a term the association argues fails to capture the expansive scope of modern health information management. Practitioners in this field undergo rigorous training in diverse areas including clinical documentation, data governance, health information systems, advanced analytics, and stringent patient confidentiality protocols. AHRIMPN warns that redefining the profession through this narrower terminology could erode both competency recognition and the quality of service delivery within healthcare institutions nationwide.
Regulatory Framework and Data Protection Risks
The association also voiced apprehension about provisions that might impact the role of the Health Records Officers Registration Board of Nigeria, the statutory regulator responsible for licensing, accreditation, and upholding professional standards. They contend that replacing or restructuring this established framework without implementing clear safeguards could dilute regulatory oversight and weaken discipline-specific governance, potentially compromising professional integrity.
On the crucial front of data protection, AHRIMPN emphasized that health information represents one of the most sensitive categories of personal data, necessitating strict professional handling protocols. The association cautioned that expanding access to such responsibilities without mandating appropriate training and enforceable standards could substantially increase risks of privacy breaches, data misuse, and impaired clinical decision-making processes.
International Standards and Legislative Recommendations
Furthermore, AHRIMPN noted that health information management is internationally recognized as a specialized profession governed by well-defined competency frameworks. Any deviation from these global standards, they asserted, could adversely affect Nigeria's preparedness for digital health integration, system interoperability, and effective participation in global health data ecosystems.
In response to these concerns, AHRIMPN has formally called upon the National Assembly to defer consideration of the bill in its current iteration and instead undertake broader stakeholder engagement. This process should involve professional bodies, regulatory agencies, and academic institutions to ensure that any legislative reforms align with technical realities and international best practices. The association reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with policymakers to develop a robust framework that strengthens health information governance while unequivocally safeguarding patient safety and data security.
