Patient Data From Tuban Health Center Found Sold in Market as Vegetable Wrappers

TUBAN, Indonesia – Personal patient documents from Puskesmas Semanding in Tuban were reportedly found circulating in a local market, being used as wrappers for vegetables. The discovery, captured in a viral video, revealed sensitive information including family cards, mobile phone numbers, and outpatient records, sparking widespread public concern over data privacy. Netizens expressed outrage, deeming the incident an unacceptable oversight. In response, the Head of the Tuban Health Department, Esti Surahmi, acknowledged the negligence. Surahmi stated that the documents were old patient data that had been inadvertently mixed with waste paper during a clean-up operation in March. These documents, which should have been destroyed, were instead sold as scrap. This incident has highlighted the critical importance of safeguarding personal data, emphasizing that data security extends beyond digital platforms to include physical documents. Authorities are now urged to review and reinforce protocols for handling and disposing of confidential information to prevent similar breaches in the future.