DATA BREACH IN HEALTHCARE SECTOR: LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND ITS EFFECTS ON PATIENTS

Abstract

The recent hack on the Plateau State Contributory Health Care Management Agency (PLASCHEMA) and the rapid rise in healthcare data breaches globally highlight the critical need for strong data security policies in healthcare institutions. This article investigates the serious consequences of data breaches on patient privacy and trust in the healthcare system. It focuses on legislative frameworks such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) for protecting patient data. The paper finds that despite these efforts, the current legal landscape is ineffective in discouraging frequent and large-scale cyber-attacks. This study proposes for stronger legislative frameworks, increased investment in security measures, and patient education to restore trust in healthcare data security. Furthermore, it investigates the issues encountered by the Nigerian healthcare system in combating data breaches among others.