PDPC, NHIF in joint bid to protect Fund’s personal information
DODOMA: THE Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC)has directed the management of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to build a strategic relationship with the commission to enable the fund to protect the personal information of its members as they continue implementing the Universal Health Insurance Act
The PDCP mission was led by Dr Emmanuel Mkiria, the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission in Dodoma.
Introducing his Institution at the session, Dr. Mkiria said, the Institution was established in accordance with the Law and officially began operating in 2022.
Dr Mkiria said NHIF is among the strategic stakeholders. He explained the importance of the PDPC’s responsibilities, especially in this period where information and communication technology has grown significantly, thus leading NHIF to have a Legal requirement to protect the personal information of members, a matter that is emphasized even in the Constitution of the country (right to privacy).
On the part of NHIF, PDPC has planned to create an enabling environment to enable the Fund and NHIF stakeholders to protect personal information. Thus, the meeting formed a Committee comprising both Institutions to work on strategic areas, especially capacity building, Public Education, Content Management System, as well as Data Protection Impact Assessment.
Dr Emmanuel thanked the NHIF Leadership for setting aside time to meet with PDPC for this important meeting.
On the part of NHIF Director General Dr Irene C Isaka, she thanked the PDPC Chief Executive for coming to NHIF and the delegation he accompanied.
Dr Isaka used the opportunity to explain how NHIF is committed to protecting the personal information of its members. He said, until now all the Fund’s employees have been vetted by the relevant authorities and have taken an oath of confidentiality. In the case of the Fund’s doctors, in addition to being vetted, they also have an oath to protect members’ information in accordance with their professional councils.
In addition, Dr Isaka said that NHIF recognizes the importance of protecting members’ information, as such information is a highly sought-after commodity both locally and internationally. However, the advent of the PDPC is a very important opportunity for the Fund to build more capacity to protect members’ personal information, considering the severe penalties stipulated in the Personal Information Protection Commission Act when the Act is violated.
At the meeting, all parties agreed to start cooperation in various areas, as well as building the capacity of the Fund’s employees, and cooperation in providing education to the public, especially stakeholders with whom NHIF works closely.
