DR. BHUPINDER SINGH

FULL PROFESSOR, SHARDA SCHOOL OF LAW, SHARDA UNIVERSITY GREATER NOIDA, INDIA

Abstract

Effective healthcare management and its delivery is a prime concern across the globe. Governments generate and maintain infrastructure for healthcare and its facilities ensuring every citizen to receive basic and advanced treatments.  There have been significant advances with regard to delivery of healthcare to the population, irrespective of their economic status. But handling and security of medical records and data belonging to patient is a major concern for the hospital management. Privacy of patient’s personal information and statistics are important but can be scattered and fragmented leading to ineffective health service and its delivery. The Constitution of India, 1950 contains various fundamental rights for its citizens and foreigners. As per Article 21, the right to life and personal liberty is considered as one fundamental right entitled to every citizen without discrimination on basis of religion, race, socio-economic conditions/ disparities. In addition, the right to health and medical care also falls under Article 21 via judicial pronouncement. Good health is significant for all and it include factors like- life-style, food habits, hygiene, sanitation and healthcare facilities etc. Explanation of these factors are relevant to understand the core concept of patient’s privacy for medical and healthcare data. The relevancy of blockchain technology in patient’s privacy is much significant because hospital’s system of record keeping may be vulnerable to cyber-attacks and frauds. With introduction of blockchain technology in hospitals, it will ensure the safety, security of data and medical records. The access to data will only be available to the network members, the hospital management to timely update and provide availability whenever required. To achieve this aim, there is a need of legal framework which intends to secure medical records and statistics. This article aims to discuss the relevancy of blockchain technology in securing patient’s privacy with regard to hospital’s healthcare delivery and its management.