The Association of Health Records and Information Management Practitioners of Nigeria (AHRIMPN) has raised concerns over a proposed piece of legislation before the National Assembly, warning that key provisions could weaken professional regulation and pose risks to patient data protection.

In a statement issued in Abuja on March 29, and signed by its National President Abiodun Afolabi, National Secretary Suleiman Mu’azu, and National Publicity Secretary Olamigoke Isaac Ajayi, the association’s National Executive Council said the proposed Records Officers Registration and Digital Health Bill 2026, if passed in its current form, could have “significant implications” for Nigeria’s healthcare system.

The body, which represents health information management practitioners nationwide, said its position followed a technical review of the bill and consultations within the profession.

Central to its objections is the proposed designation of practitioners as “records officers”, a term the association argues does not reflect the scope of modern health information management.

According to AHRIMPN, practitioners in the field are trained in areas ranging from clinical documentation and data governance to health information systems, analytics and patient confidentiality.

It warned that redefining the profession in narrower terms could undermine both competency recognition and service delivery within the healthcare system.

The association also expressed concern about provisions that could affect the role of the Health Records Officers Registration Board of Nigeria, the statutory regulator responsible for licensing, accreditation and professional standards.

It argued that replacing or restructuring the existing framework without clear safeguards could dilute oversight and weaken discipline-specific regulation.

On data protection, AHRIMPN cautioned that health information remains among the most sensitive categories of personal data and requires strict professional handling.

It warned that expanding access to such responsibilities without appropriate training and standards could increase the risk of privacy breaches, data misuse and compromised clinical decision-making.

The association further noted that health information management is recognised internationally as a specialised profession governed by defined competency frameworks.

Any departure from these standards, it said, could affect Nigeria’s readiness for digital health integration, interoperability and participation in global health data systems.

AHRIMPN has called on the National Assembly to defer consideration of the bill in its current form and undertake broader stakeholder engagement involving professional bodies, regulators and academic institutions.

It said such consultations would help ensure that any legislative reform aligns with technical realities and international best practice.

The association added that it remains open to collaboration with policymakers in developing a framework that strengthens health information governance while safeguarding patient safety.