Arabic version: المريضة تطالب بالاعتذار عن الإفراج عن المعلومات الصحية الخاصة
A public health patient in South Australia is calling for an apology from the state government after her personal medical history was shared with journalists without her consent. Monica Wohlstadt is the second patient in a matter of days to raise concerns about the handling of sensitive information by the office of Health Minister Chris Picton.
According to ABC News, Wohlstadt’s complaint follows a similar incident involving another patient, Bronwen Paterson, whose late partner’s email was incorrectly attributed to him by the minister’s office. Wohlstadt, who has faced multiple surgery delays, expressed her dismay at learning that her medical interactions were disclosed to the media without her prior knowledge.
Wohlstadt stated that the government made “no contact whatsoever” before releasing her information and described the action as an attempt to “cover up” her experiences in the health system. She emphasized that her private information is personal and demanded an apology.
In response to the incidents, the opposition parties, including the Greens and the Liberals, are calling for an investigation into the matter. Liberal leader Ashton Hurn highlighted the seriousness of the situation, questioning the minister’s judgment in handling patient information. Hurn reiterated that patient details must be treated with the utmost privacy, while Liberal health spokesperson Heidi Girolamo expressed concern that there could be more undisclosed cases.
Health Minister Picton defended the release of Wohlstadt’s information, claiming it was necessary to provide factual context to journalists. He acknowledged making a mistake in the previous incident involving Paterson’s partner but stated he would not resign from his position. Premier Peter Malinauskas supported Picton, asserting that transparency is essential when patients publicly discuss their treatment experiences.
The ongoing controversy has raised significant questions about privacy practices within the South Australian health system, prompting calls for a thorough investigation to ensure that such breaches do not become a pattern.
