Kota Kinabalu: Personal data protection must be prioritised alongside rapid digital technological advancement to ensure the healthcare sector's transformation is safe, responsible and trusted by the public, said State Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk James Ratib.
His speech, delivered by Assistant Minister Jordan Jude Ellron at the opening of the PDPA Connect Sabah 2026 event at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) on Tuesday, said digitalisation and innovation are now strategic necessities that must be supported by strong data governance, information security and effective personal data protection.
James said technologies such as electronic health records, digital appointment systems, telehealth services and data analytics could improve healthcare delivery, but organisations must ensure personal data is processed, shared and safeguarded responsibly.
He said PDPA Connect Sabah 2026 provides an important platform for regulators, healthcare institutions, universities, industry players and other stakeholders to strengthen understanding of personal data protection and build greater public trust in digital services.
James also said institutions such as UMS and Hospital Universiti Malaysia Sabah (HUMS) play a key role in promoting good data governance, expressing confidence that Sabah can develop an inclusive, smart and secure digital healthcare ecosystem through continued collaboration among government, regulators, academia, the healthcare sector and industry.
