Draft regulation targets patient privacy

Health departments should protect patients' privacy and refrain from leaking their personal information and related materials, according to a draft regulation published on Wednesday.

The draft amendment to the Tuberculosis (TB) Prevention and Control Regulation, formulated by the Ministry of Health, was published Wednesday on the website of the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council, or China's cabinet, for public comments.

"Health departments can obtain information from units or people and inspect related venues out of the need for TB prevention and treatment," but should also heed patients' privacy, according to the draft.

Medical or disease prevention and control facilities that hide, delay or give false information on TB epidemics or intentionally leak the private information of TB patients, suspected patients and close contacts will receive a warning. Those found responsible will be disciplined or prosecuted, the draft said.

Infected TB patients must be prevented from engaging in activity that could cause the virus to spread and TB screening should be included in physical examinations, the draft said.

Designated medical institutions should register TB patients and launch emergency plans in the event of a TB epidemic, it said.