MMA urges probe on hospital surveillance system

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) urged the authorities to probe allegations that a government hospital’s surveillance system was unsecured and could expose undressed patients.

This followed a Malaysiakini report highlighting concerns raised by Sungai Buloh Hospital workers who claimed the cameras were in its emergency department.

MMA president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz said the allegations were serious as they involved patient privacy and demanded a response from the government.

“We urge the authorities to immediately investigate the matter.

“Respecting patient privacy in healthcare is a sacred duty that underpins the trust and integrity of the medical profession,” she said in a statement.

Several hospital staff members sounded the alarm on a surveillance system in the department’s Trauma Unit, where medical staff perform life-saving procedures on patients and under such circumstances, the patients’ clothes are removed.

They claimed the unsecured live feed was displayed on monitors which could be viewed by non-relevant staff and other patients.

Malaysiakini has reached out to the Health Ministry for comments on the allegations.

PDPA doesn’t apply to govt

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (MCCHR) said government hospitals should have good practices when it comes to handling personal data.

Its chief human rights strategist Firdaus Husni said there must be a clear procedure for handling the cameras and the recordings they produced.

“The Personal Data Protection Act 2010 only applies to commercial transactions. It does not apply to federal and state governments.

“Nonetheless, this should not be taken to mean that government agencies do not have to adhere to the required standards and good practices when it comes to the handling of personal data.

“Government hospitals have a duty of care towards their patients to protect their data, dignity, and safety,” she said.

Elaborating on this, Firdaus said the principles that government hospitals must follow include giving notice to patients about the existence, operation, and purpose of the recordings.

The recordings also cannot be used for purposes other than what was stated and access must be limited to reduce the risk of misuse, she added.

Whistleblowers cry foul over unsecured surveillance system in hospital

LETTER | No more excuses on whistleblower protection

KJ says he asked IGP to not punish vaccine whistleblowers