Deputy Health Minister Dr. Grace Ayensu reaffirmed government’s commitment to protecting patient privacy and safeguarding health workers by restricting unauthorized recordings in hospitals, particularly in emergency wards.
Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday, Dr. Ayensu emphasized that while patients have the right to record their own medical experiences, they do not have the right to capture other patients or staff without consent.
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“So if it’s a patient who is in the bed, they have every right to record themselves. What they don’t have the right to is to video other people who are there. At the same time, we also have to protect our staff. Patient privacy and staff protection go hand in hand,” she told the Committee.
Dr. Ayensu disclosed that the Ministry of Health has already instituted a policy banning unauthorized audio-visual recordings within hospital facilities, with warning notices “broadly posted on vantage points in the hospital.” However, she admitted that enforcement has been a challenge.
“Unfortunately, people see them and still go against the rules. We have increased security presence at the emergency areas, outpatient departments, and hospital entrances. We have also engaged the police to give us presence, because people are more mindful when police are present than when it’s our private security,” she explained.
The Committee expressed concern about patients’ images being shared on social media without consent, with members stressing that such actions amount to gross privacy violations.
Responding to questions on legal remedies, Dr. Ayensu said her ministry was working closely with the police to prosecute offenders.
“Our legal department has advised that we report such matters to the police. Presently, some cases are under investigation. We are hoping that the law will also help us deal with these infractions,” she said.
The Deputy Minister reiterated that both patients and staff must feel safe in health facilities, adding: “The ministry is on course; we are working with the emergency rooms across the country to ensure that all of our staff are protected and every patient that comes to the hospital is also protected.”