Stigma and confidentiality - Why Covid-19 locations are not disclosed

CORONAVIRUS | Since the first cases of Covid-19 were reported in Malaysia, members of the public have been clamouring to know where the patients might have worked or lived.

The call has only intensified as more cases were reported in the country, and rumours circulated on what locations may have been affected.

When asked on this, however, health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah stood firm and reiterated that medical professionals cannot disclose such information.

“If the patients want to reveal (information), they can do so, but not medical personnel,” he said.

He explained this would not only be a violation of rules regarding patient confidentiality, but the resulting stigma could also be long-lasting....