People don’t go around telling others about the balance in their bank accounts, nor do people who have this information divulge it to others. As an individual, there are various bits of information about you that has absolutely nothing to do with another person and no one can force you to give this information out. Your medical information is also something that should be guarded and not given out to people at random without thinking of the consequences. One of the biggest reasons for the increased awareness of confidential medical information is mostly associated with the increased prevalence of HIV and Aids.

While there are just about daily awareness campaigns aimed at alleviating the stigma associated with this disease, it still remains a taboo subject for many people and thousands go without ever disclosing their status, even to their closest friends and family.

In the case where your doctor has to disclose some of your information, they must inform you about it as well as give you reasons for the disclosure. This can be in cases where your case is handed to another doctor and therefore is makes sense that they are informed of your health status. However, if doctors or any other person for that matter, is not guarding and protecting your confidential medical information like they should, you may have recourse in terms of the National Health Bill.

At Adele van der Walt Attorneys we deal with many cases where a patient’s confidential medical information has been disclosed, and the patient has suffered in some form or another because of it. If you are in the same situation and you feel that something must be done, contact us and come and see us for a fair and objective consultation and we will be there for you every step of the way.

For more information on this subject, please give us a call at 012 460 3668 (SA)
or e-mail us at linda@avdw.co.za