On December 4, 2023, Singapore’s Ministry of Health (Ministry) announced that the nation’s first ever comprehensive health data law, the Health Information Bill (Bill), will be introduced in mid-2024.

A set of Cyber and Data Security Guidelines for Healthcare Providers (Guidelines) was also published. Of particular importance is that these guidelines will frame and eventually be imposed as regulatory requirements under the Bill.

Against a backdrop of increased cyberthreats and security risks in an increasingly digitalised healthcare industry, the Guidelines aim to provide much-needed, urgent guidance and regulatory certainty to healthcare providers, as to the requirements for securing the confidentiality, integrity and availability of health information against unauthorized access and other risks. The Bill aims to ensure the safe and secure processing of health information, with a view to enhancing the overall quality and continuity of care for patients.

Charmian Aw delves into the key aspects of the Bill and the Guidelines and the implications for companies operating in the sector in her blog on Triage Health Law.