The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner recently released a guidance note for healthcare providers on the processing of health data. With the advancement of technology, it is prudent to implement measures to ensure sensitive, confidential and private data is secured from privacy breaches and unauthorised usage. With the aim of implementing the rights granted to data subjects under the Data Protection Act, 2019, this guidance note provides the healthcare sector with information and obligations required to lawfully process data.
The guidance notes are divided into four main components, namely, the principles of data protection, the lawful basis of processing data, the rights of data subjects and compliance obligations for the healthcare sector.
With the rise in hacks and cyberattacks, the guidance notes provide practical measures healthcare institutions can implement in protecting rights of data subjects and ensuring that sensitive data is lawfully processed and safely stored. The guidelines set a minimum standard that healthcare institutions must adopt in order to comply with the laws on data protection. With the advent of technology and the rate at which it is advancing, such guidance notes ease the application, implementation and enforcement of data protection laws, therefore reducing the risk of a breach. Furthermore, the guidance note speaks towards the country’s dedication in serving its populace by ensuring their data is well secured; as well as portrays the nations zeal in tackling the pitfalls that come with adopting new advancement.