New Delhi, Aug 12 (PTI) Patient data protection should be accorded the same priority as patient care as India’s healthcare sector rapidly embraces digital technologies, an association representing healthcare providers has said.
With India’s digital health ecosystem already serving an estimated 400 million users and projected to reach nearly one billion users by 2030, experts at a webinar here emphasised that robust data governance is becoming fundamental to safe and patient-centric healthcare.
The second edition of the Association of Healthcare Providers –India (AHPI) webinar series, “From DPDP Compliance to Trusted Healthcare” held recently focused on practical approaches to implementing the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 and strengthening patient trust in an increasingly digital healthcare ecosystem.
The discussion covered the DPDP Act compliance roadmap for healthcare institutions, responsibilities of data fiduciaries, patient consent management, data security and breach response, third-party and vendor risks, and audit and regulatory requirements.
The experts also stressed the need for hospitals to strengthen governance frameworks, train staff and develop comprehensive protocols to prevent, detect and respond to data breaches.
“Patient trust is the foundation of quality healthcare. Just as hospitals invest in clinical excellence and patient safety, they must now invest equally in protecting patient information. Data privacy is no longer only a compliance requirement; it is an essential pillar of ethical, transparent and responsible healthcare delivery. Building a culture where every healthcare professional understands and values data protection is critical to sustaining patient confidence in the digital era,” AHPI Director General Dr Girdhar Gyani said.
Dr Sunil Khetarpal, Deputy Director General, AHPI, said compliance with the DPDP Act should not be viewed merely as a regulatory obligation but as a strategic enabler of responsible healthcare delivery.
“The DPDP Act presents an important opportunity for the healthcare sector to strengthen governance and reinforce patient trust. Compliance should not be viewed merely as a regulatory obligation but as a strategic enabler of responsible healthcare delivery,” he said. PTI PLB DV DV
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