Going to the doctor in Taiwan is usually low-stress and easy due to the country's well-established healthcare system. However, recent data leaks in major hospitals in Taiwan are putting officials and locals on edge.
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A whistle-blower has recently reported to local news media of a severe data leak at Taoyuan General Hospital. The alleged leak resulted in hospital staff and patients' data being stolen. System's users also saw notifications in simplified Chinese and even experienced abnormal systems operations during patients' chemotherapy.
The whistle-blower who claims to be a staff member of Taoyuan General Hospital, told the media the hospital's system was hacked in August of 2020. But the Hospital didn't take any action until a month later.
Taoyuan General Hospital was not the only affected facility. The whistle-blower says the Hualien Armed Forces General Hospital had a data leak issue with the same system in 2019. However, officials at the latter hospital denied any data leaks.
Taiwan's Health Minister Hsueh Jui-Yuan (薛瑞元) admitted in an interview there has been a data leak at the Taoyuan General Hospital but no patients' data has been stolen. Hsueh says investigations are underway and the manufacturer of the system will be punished.
The next time patients in Taiwan go to a doctor, they might worry about more than just the pain.