1. Introduction & Overview
This Privacy Policy explains how the medical practice of Dr. Muhammad Awais Latif (Consultant Orthopedic, Spine & Arthroscopic Surgeon, PMDC Registration # 77961-P, CPSP Fellowship # OSG-26-45326) collects, uses, protects, and discloses personal and medical information collected via our website (https://ortho-dr.com) and integrated telehealth consultation services.
We treat all patient data with the highest medical confidentiality in full compliance with the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC) Code of Ethics, applicable healthcare privacy guidelines, and international data protection principles.
2. Information We Collect
When you book an appointment, submit medical inquiries, or use our digital services, we may collect:
- Personal Demographics: Patient full name, age, city, phone/WhatsApp number, and optional email address.
- Clinical & Intake Data: Primary joint complaint, description of symptoms, and self-assessment screener responses.
- Medical Diagnostic Files: X-Rays, MRI scans, CT reports, laboratory results, or past prescriptions uploaded through our secure portal dropzone.
- Appointment Metadata: Selected appointment date, consultation time slot, consultation format (In-Person OPD at Horizon Hospital or Online Video Consultation), and booking reference code.
- Billing & Payment Identifiers: Payment confirmation status, payment method (Safepay, SBP Raast QR, or Mobile Account), and transaction identifier (TID / Tracker Token). Note: We never collect, process, or store credit/debit card numbers or CVVs on our servers.
3. How We Use Patient Information
We use the collected information strictly for legitimate medical and administrative purposes:
- To schedule, confirm, and manage in-person OPD clinics and online video consultations.
- To allow Dr. Muhammad Awais Latif to clinically review your symptoms, MRI/X-Ray scans, and prepare informed medical assessments prior to your session.
- To dispatch appointment confirmations, reminders, and video consultation meeting links via WhatsApp or SMS.
- To generate e-prescriptions, diagnostic test referrals, and post-consultation rehabilitation guidance.
- To verify advance fee transactions and reconcile appointments with payment gateway notifications.
4. Medical Confidentiality & Information Sharing
Patient confidentiality is central to our practice. We do not sell, rent, commercialize, or share your medical or personal data with any third-party advertisers or unauthorized entities.
Your information is shared only under the following limited and necessary circumstances:
- Clinical Staff: Designated clinical assistants and reception staff under confidentiality agreements to assist with appointment scheduling.
- Hospital OPD Operations: Horizon Hospital (Johar Town, Lahore) reception team for queue management of in-person visits.
- Licensed Service Providers: Secure infrastructure partners including Supabase Cloud (encrypted database storage) and Safepay (authorized payment gateway).
- Legal Compliance: When required by lawful judicial orders or statutory Pakistani healthcare regulations.
5. Medical Records Retention & Security
We employ industry-standard technical and operational safeguards:
- Encryption: Data in transit is protected using Transport Layer Security (TLS 1.3 / HTTPS). Uploaded diagnostic scans are stored in encrypted cloud buckets.
- Access Control: Administrative and clinical access to appointment dossiers is restricted by secure password authentication.
- Retention: Medical consultation records are retained in accordance with professional clinical record-keeping standards for longitudinal patient care.
6. Telehealth Video Consultations & Recording Policy
Video consultations are conducted over secure end-to-end encrypted or protected communication channels (WhatsApp Video / Zoom). Neither Dr. Muhammad Awais Latif nor the clinic records patient video calls without prior written consent from the patient. Patients are likewise requested not to record consultations without mutual agreement.
7. Patient Rights
As a patient, you hold the right to:
- Request access to copies of your clinical intake summary and e-prescriptions.
- Request correction or updating of your contact details.
- Request deletion of uploaded diagnostic scans once your consultation cycle is concluded, subject to medical record retention laws.
8. Contact & Privacy Inquiries
For inquiries regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal health information, please contact our clinic:
Dr. Muhammad Awais Latif Clinic
Horizon Hospital, Block D-II, Phase 1, Johar Town, Lahore, Pakistan
Helpline / WhatsApp: +92 322 4105745 / 042-38900939
Official Practice Email: dr.awaislatif@gmail.com