Readiness for Smart Health Data Interoperability in the Maldives and India: A Doctrinal Comparative Analysis of Legal and Regulatory Frameworks
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55712/z1k2bt28Keywords:
Digital Health Governance, Data Protection Law, Cross-Border Health Data, Innovation and Solution, Legal FrameworkAbstract
In the past few years, there has been a rapid digital transformation in the healthcare landscapes of countries in the Global South. Though these changes have created better opportunities and management, they have challenged the legal system regarding the security of health data. India and the Maldives are evolving in the digital health ecosystem; nonetheless, safeguarding personal health data is also a part of this evolution. It is imperative to ensure security in the era of AI-driven diagnostics, telemedicine, Health Information Exchange, and data transfer to other stakeholders for further treatments. This paper sets out to examine the legal readiness of India and the Maldives in managing digital health data, with a focus on identifying gaps and offering practical suggestions for improvement. The study uses doctrinal methods, where analysis of national health data laws, policies, judicial precedents, and academic papers from both jurisdictions is done. The paper reviews national data protection laws, such as India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) of 2023 and the proposed Privacy and Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023; related healthcare policies, judgements, and expert opinions. India has made significant moves with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, but concerns about data privacy, centralisation, and transparency persist. The paper investigates the laws that facilitate cross-border data transfer and advocates harmony in digital health standards, uniformity in legal and healthcare professionals, and secure platforms for data transfer. The research alliance with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3, which is good health and well-being; SDG 9, industry, innovation, and infrastructure; and SDG 16, peace, justice, and strong institutions. Along with this, it also aids digital transformation, adaptation, and securing smart solutions. Since India and the Maldives are strategic actors in the Indo-Pacific health data ecosystem, the right kind of legal infrastructure will accelerate the readiness for digital healthcare adaptation.
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