Rehabilitation centres need to prioritise data management infrastructure
The path of recuperation from substance use disorders in a rehabilitation facility is a very individualised and private experience, which includes vulnerability and hence requires the strictest adherence to confidentiality.
Rehabilitation centres across the world play a particularly important role in rehabilitating persons with substance use disorders.
But the success of these centres in facilitating wellness and healing for their patients is increasingly linked to the protection of their clients’ data.
During a time when data breaches are the norm, protecting data should not be seen as just a legal duty, but a moral one.
In developed countries, there are guidelines, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union, which recommend best practices for the management of personal data in health and rehabilitation settings.
Under these regulations, the need for informed consent is highlighted, minimising data collection to what is required and securing it from unauthorised access.
These actions create confidence between clients and service providers, a key factor in the outcome of rehabilitation programmes.
Data protection within health care, and in rehabilitation services, is being increasingly taken into consideration in Africa. Using of health information, for instance, is a growing awareness of the vulnerability that is evident, such as illustrated by South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act, a law that emphasises both the need for safeguarding privacy and security of personal health information. However, in some African countries, robust legal frameworks for data protection are still lacking, exposing rehabilitation clients to the risk of biased exploitation of their personally identifiable information.
In Kenya the need for data protection in rehabilitation facilities is brought to attention by the Data Protection Act 2019. This legislation provides precise rules for personal data collection, processing, storage and dissemination.
Rehabilitation centres are required, no less, to have, at the very least, written notice, get explicit consent from the clients to collect and use their data, no more, no less, for its designated purpose. Any breach of these articles is met with severe penalties.
Recent events in Kenya indicate the risks of inadequate data protection. Exposure of client information, whether disclosed or misused can lead to stigma, discrimination and even litigation.
In rehabilitation, data lapses can mean months or years of effort lost, which can then result in psychological distress and loss of trust in the process.
Actionable steps for Kenyan rehabilitation centres should include targeting the allocation of resources to obtain data management infrastructure, providing data protection training to staff and periodic auditing of activities to maintain compliance with legal mandates. Furthermore, centres must recognise the ethical dimension of data protection; ensuring that clients feel safe and respected during their recovery journey.
The role of data protection extends beyond compliance. It is a foundation for holistic healing and allows clients to concentrate solely on healing without the anxiety of stigma or disclosure.
Mr Mwangi is Deputy Director, Corporate Communications, at Nacada
