Patients' health info must be protected
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Re: "Actor Tridsadee still fighting for his life, uproar over photos online", National, November 13.
I understand that posting pictures of actor Tridsadee’s during his treatment was most likely done with the aim to urgently addressing the blood donation shortages and offering encouragement to him recover quickly.
People have the right of freedom in communication afforded to them in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of the United Nations, but it does not mean that it can be done without control because it could violate privacy rights.
In Thailand, patients’ rights have long been protected under Section 7 of the National Health Act 2550, which centres on the confidentiality of patients’ health records.
Tridsadee is not the first celebrity to have treatment photos go viral on social media.
Educating the public is seriously needed, because the distribution of patient information needs to have the permission of the patient or the patient’s relatives.
Sutipunt Bongsununt
