Security versus privacy CCTVs in hospitals pushed; exec says rights ‘must be respected’

CEBU, Philippines - The patients’ right to privacy should still be observed once the ordinance for mandatory installation of closed-circuit television cameras in critical areas within health facilities is approved.

This was according to Sophia Mancao, head of the region’s Department of Health’s Licensing Regulation Enforcement Division, during the public hearing yesterday on the proposed provincial ordinance dubbed as the “CCTV Installation on Critical Areas within the Hospital Vicinity Ordinance 2014.”

Mancao explained that only authorized personnel of health facilities can view and keep the recorded videos and feeds taken by CCTVs and who will ensure confidentiality of the records “unless ordered by the court.”

“Since this (ordinance) pertains to security, naa pud ta’y head of security nga mag-handle ani. The chiefs of hospitals are the authorized personnel who can only see or look into this… Patients are entitled to their right to privacy but since they are in the facility, then they also have to abide by the policy,” she said.

The installation of the cameras is part of the hospital’s policy on the security of their patients, she added.

The critical areas mentioned in the ordinance will only cover the entrance and exit, hallways, emergency exits, and pathological nursery, she clarified.

The ordinance, authored Board members Sun Shimura and Jude Thaddeus Sybico, is now on its way for the second reading before the Provincial Board.

It seeks to ensure security and protection of patients and to further monitor the situation of newly-born babies and identify any misdemeanor in the area.

“Angayan gyud nato bantayan ang mga bata nga dili sila mamaltrato sa mga personnel. This can improve their (hospitals’) services and security. Safe pud sila sa mga tawo nga magsulod-gawas, basin unya ma-kidnap ang mga bata,” Shimura said.

Mancao pointed out that the term “nursery” should not be mistakenly interpreted as an area where all new born babies are kept. She said newly-born babies with normal condition are now being “roomed in” and that only those with “abnormal” condition are placed in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or the pathological nursery and should be closely monitored.

Under the proposed ordinance, private and public hospitals and health institutions are required to mount CCTVs. Those who would not comply with this would be penalized P10,000 on the first offense, P30,000 on the second and P50,000 for the third with the recommendation of the Department of Health for sanction  including institution of criminal case for violating a provincial ordinance.

An inspection team composed of the Chief of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, Chief of the Hospital, National Bureau of Investigation, among others, will do the mapping and monitoring to ensure full compliance of the ordinance. They will also conduct regular checking every six months.

Shimura said the PB has yet to confer on budget allocation for the ordinance. The budget will fund the CCTV installation in all provincial and district hospitals in Cebu.  (FREEMAN)