Telemedicine and Human Rights: A Legal Analysis in the Digital Healthcare Framework
Keywords:
informed consent, human rights law, international human rights instruments, Healthcare FrameworkAbstract
The rapid proliferation of telemedicine during and after the COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally altered the delivery of healthcare services globally. While telemedicine promises to enhance access, reduce costs, and improve patient outcomes, it also raises significant human rights concerns regarding privacy, data protection, informed consent, and equitable access. This article critically examines the intersection of telemedicine and human rights law, evaluating the extent to which existing legal frameworks adequately protect patient rights in the digital healthcare era. Drawing upon international human rights instruments, comparative legislative analyses, and emerging jurisprudence, this paper argues that while telemedicine has the potential to advance the right to health as enshrined in Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), its implementation must be guided by robust regulatory safeguards. The analysis reveals that digital health inequities, algorithmic biases in diagnostic tools, and cross-border data transfers present novel challenges that require coordinated international legal responses. The article concludes with recommendations for a human rights-based approach to telemedicine regulation that balances technological innovation with fundamental freedoms.
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