A patient's medical records should not be disclosed unless he or she gives personal consent, a seminar hosted by the South African Human Rights Commission was told yesterday.

A patient's medical records should not be disclosed unless he or she gives personal consent, a seminar hosted by the South African Human Rights Commission was told yesterday.

South African Medical Association chairman Kgosi Letlape said: "Everyone has a right to be protected by law against such conduct" at the "freedom of expression versus privacy" seminar in Johannesburg. The panel discussed the Sunday Timesarticles about Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang being an alcoholic and a thief.

SABC news chief Snuki Zikalala said "publishing such a story is disrespectful". Jane Duncan of the Freedom of Expression Institute said if one behaved badly as a public figure, it should be disclosed.

Sunday Times editor Mondli Makhanya had a death in his family and could not attend. - Sapa