MANILA – The disclosure of personal information of patients who were found positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is now mandatory, according to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for Emerging Infectious Disease.
IATF spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said this policy will enhance the contact-tracing efforts of the government.
“Para po matulungan ang contact-tracing efforts ng ating pamahalaan, mandatory o required na po ang paglalahad ng personal na impormasyon pagdating sa ating mga COVID-19 cases,” Nograles said.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) was tasked to spearhead the contact-tracing with the help of the local government units (LGUs).
“For this purpose, the DOH (Department of Health) and the OCD are directed to enter into a data-sharing agreement in accordance with Republic Act No. 10173 or the “Data Privacy Act,” Nograles said.
Doctors and lawyers earlier urged COVID-19 patients and persons suspected of carrying the virus to waive the confidentiality of their medical condition to help authorities conduct timely contact tracing.
The Integrated Bar of Philippines, the Philippine Medical Association and the Philippine College of Surgeons issued the call following increasing incidents of COVID-19 patients seeking treatment without divulging their true condition, compromising health workers.
Department of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he “strongly” supports the groups’ call.
“Both the Philippine Medical Association and the Data Privacy Commission provide the ethical and legal basis for this action in times of public health emergency, and the DOJ affirms its validity,” Guevarra said in a separate statement./PN
