The Kenya Medical Association (KMA) has condemn the current trend of filming patients in hospital settings, photography sessions, live broadcasts and media events conducted by politicians and public figures stating it violates constitutional rights to privacy and dignity, undermining ethical standards in healthcare.
In a statement released by KMA, states hospitals are spaces of care and confidentiality, not for publicity, and not for campaign venues that expose vulnerable patients.
The association said such actions are neither advocacy nor public service but exploit confidentiality and respectful care towards patients. It also stated that it undermines medical ethics and erodes trust between healthcare providers and the public.
Under the Articles 28 and 31 of the Constitution of Kenya guarantee the rights to human dignity and privacy. The Data Protection Act, 2019, notes that health information is classified as sensitive personal data and cannot be recorded or broadcast without explicit informed consent from the patient.
KMA urged hospital administrators to enforce strict no-filming policies, assign staff to stop violators and ensure informed consent is obtained for any patient. The association called on the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) to investigate incidents that circulate publicly.
Both national and county governments have been urged by KMA to take action against those filming or broadcasting patients without documented informed consent.
