Box 7: Legislation stipulating confidentiality requirements for certain types of medical information
Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act, 92 of 1996, section 7.
Records of termination of pregnancy must be made by the practitioner and the person in charge of the facility. The person in charge of the facility must notify the Director-General within one month of the termination, but the information should be de-identified. “The identity of a woman who has requested or obtained a termination of pregnancy shall remain confidential at all times unless she herself chooses to disclose that information.”
Childrens’ Act, 28 of 2005, sections 12, 13, 133 and 134
“Every child has the right to confidentiality regarding his or her health status and the health status of a parent, care-giver or family member, except when maintaining such confidentiality is not in the best interests of the child.”