Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 28) — The government’s task force on the COVID-19 pandemic has ordered all health facilities to obtain the consent of infected patients before disclosing their names to the public, a Cabinet official said.
“Pakiusap po para matulungan ‘yung contact-tracing, sa lahat ng mga public health facilities paki-ask ng permission ng mga COVID-19 patients if they are willing to disclose their identities to the public,” said Nograles in an online briefing.
[Translation: In order to help in contact-tracing, I urge all public health facilities to ask the permission of COVID-19 patients if they are willing to disclose their identities to the public]
This order is included in the inter-agency task force for the management of emerging infectious diseases’ latest resolution, which Nograles also read out. The resolution noted that the patient has the right to withhold consent.
Under the Data Privacy Act, a person’s health condition is classified as sensitive personal information which can only be used with the consent of the person or patient.
The Department of Health has reported 803 cases of COVID-19 in the country, including 54 deaths. A total of 31 have recovered from the disease. The agency does not disclose the names of the patients and identifies them by number, detailing only their gender, age, travel history and other medical concerns.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Friday said the public disclosure of the patients’ identities will help the government track those who have made contact with the patient.
