KUWAIT CITY, July 8: The Ministry of Health has reiterated the need to adhere to the laws and controls that govern health institutions and regulate their workflow. These laws and controls include protecting the privacy of patients, maintaining the confidentiality of their data, and complying with strict controls set by the legislator on taking photos or videos inside the health facility by any means.

The ministry affirmed that protecting patients’ privacy and maintaining the confidentiality of their medical data is at the top of its priorities. This is in line with Article 21 of Professional Practice Law No. 70/2020, which prohibits third parties from taking photos or videos of a patient or a practitioner while they are inside the health facility for any reason unless written approval is obtained from the patient or practitioner on one hand, and from the health facility administration on the other hand.

The ministry added that the same article allows the professional to take photos or videos for purposes of education, documentation, research, scientific publishing or to exchange experience or information in the medical field or for health awareness, provided that written and explicit consent is obtained from the patient, which must specify the purpose and limits of use and publication. This is in addition to not disclosing the patient’s identity and personality whenever there is no relevant interest in doing so.

Performing any type of photography or videography that is not governed by the controls specified by the law could be considered a violation of the patient’s privacy. It emphasized that respecting the patients’ privacy and dignity is an essential part of professional ethics and societal duties, which everyone must observe, to enhance community confidence in the health system, and to ensure that all patients receive health care in a safe environment, in which utmost comfort and privacy are observed.

It also called on all citizens, expatriates and media practitioners to cooperate and adhere to these rules. It affirmed that it continues to exert tremendous efforts to ensure the provision of the best health services to citizens and expatriates in an environment that respects the rights of patients. It expressed appreciation for everyone’s cooperation and awareness of the importance of the articles of the law related to protecting the patients’ privacy and maintaining the confidentiality of their data. “We will always move forward to strengthen trust between the health sector and society,” the ministry stressed.

By Marwa Al-Bahrawi
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff