CMO Anantnag bans patient photos, videos on social media without consent

Anantnag, Jul 31: In a significant move aimed at safeguarding patient privacy and upholding medical ethics, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Anantnag has prohibited all private healthcare institutions in the district from recording or uploading photographs, videos or any other audio-visual material of patients without obtaining prior written informed consent from the patient as well as written permission from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer.
According to an order issued by CMO Anantnag, Dr Khalid Parvez, it has come to the notice of the health authorities that certain private clinical establishments in the district have been recording and circulating photographs and videos of patients on social media and other digital platforms without proper authorisation.
The order states that such practices violate the fundamental principles of patient confidentiality, privacy and professional ethics, besides being inconsistent with the provisions of the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010, the rules framed under it and other applicable laws.
The CMO has directed that no private hospital, nursing home, diagnostic centre or any other clinical establishment operating in the district shall record, publish or upload any photograph, video or other audio-visual content of any patient from within the healthcare facility unless prior written informed consent has been obtained from the patient and a written No Objection Certificate (NOC) or permission has been secured from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer, Anantnag.
The order further places direct responsibility on the proprietors, managing directors and medical superintendents of all private clinical establishments to ensure strict compliance with the directions.
It states that they will be held personally accountable for any violation of the order.
The CMO warned that any breach of the directions would attract appropriate action under the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010, the rules framed thereunder and other applicable laws. The action may include suspension or cancellation of the registration of the defaulting healthcare establishment wherever deemed necessary.
“The directions have been issued to protect the dignity, privacy and confidentiality of patients and to ensure that ethical standards try are maintained in all healthcare institutions,” the order states.
The order has come into force with immediate effect, and all private clinical establishments have been directed to implement the instructions in letter and spirit. (KNO)