Patient Consent & Terms

By consenting to POPIA processing, you authorise iScript Health (Dr. Chomba & Associates, Inc, BHF Practice No. 0558419) to process your personal and health information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA).

What we collect: Your name, SA ID or passport number, date of birth, contact details, medical history, allergies, chronic conditions, medications, consultation records, prescriptions, and payment/medical aid information.

How we use it: Your information is processed solely for healthcare delivery, medical aid billing and switching, statutory reporting (where required by law), and clinical record-keeping as mandated by the Health Professions Act 56 of 1974.

Your rights under POPIA: • Right to access your personal information • Right to correct inaccurate information • Right to request deletion (subject to legal retention requirements) • Right to withdraw consent (however, withdrawal may limit our ability to provide care) • Right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator

Data retention: We retain your health records for a minimum of 5 years as required by medical records legislation. Cross-border transfer of your data, if any, is conducted under POPIA Section 72(1)(b).

Contact: Our Information Officer can be reached at privacy@iscript.co.za.

By consenting to telehealth, you agree to receive medical consultations via video call, telephone, or secure messaging through the iScript platform.

Nature of telehealth: Teleconsultations are conducted in compliance with HPCSA Booklet 10 — Guidelines for the Practice of Telehealth in South Africa. You acknowledge that telehealth is not identical to in-person care and may have limitations, including the inability to perform physical examinations.

Recording and transcription: With your explicit consent, consultation sessions may be recorded for medicolegal purposes and may be transcribed using AI-powered transcription services. Recordings are stored securely and accessed only by authorised clinical staff. You may decline recording without affecting your right to receive care.

Technology requirements: You are responsible for ensuring you have a stable internet connection and a suitable device for video consultations. If technical difficulties prevent a video consultation, your doctor may convert the appointment to a telephone consultation.

Emergency situations: Telehealth is not suitable for medical emergencies. In the event of an emergency, call 10177 (ambulance) or proceed to your nearest emergency department. Your iScript doctor may advise you to seek in-person care if your condition requires physical examination or urgent intervention.

Prescribing: iScript practitioners may issue electronic prescriptions (e-scripts) in accordance with the Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965. Schedule 6 substances cannot be prescribed via teleconsult.

By consenting to medical treatment, you voluntarily agree to examination, diagnosis, and treatment by HPCSA-registered practitioners on the iScript platform.

Your responsibilities as a patient: • Provide accurate and complete medical history information • Inform your practitioner of all current medications, allergies, and chronic conditions • Disclose any previous surgeries, hospitalisations, or relevant medical events • Follow the treatment plan and advice provided by your practitioner • Seek emergency care when advised to do so • Not misrepresent your identity or medical status

Scope of practice: All practitioners on the iScript platform are independently registered with the HPCSA. General Practitioners, Clinical Associates, and Specialists operate within their respective scopes of practice as defined by HPCSA regulations. Clinical Associates practise under the supervision of a registered Medical Practitioner.

Clinical decision-making: Diagnosis and treatment decisions rest solely with the attending practitioner. iScript provides the technology platform and clinical decision support tools, but does not influence clinical decisions. Your practitioner will explain the proposed treatment, alternative options, and associated risks before proceeding.

Refusal of treatment: You have the right to refuse treatment or withdraw consent at any time. Refusal of treatment will not affect your right to future care on the platform, except where your safety or the safety of others is at risk.

Medical aid billing: Where applicable, iScript will submit claims to your medical aid on your behalf. You remain responsible for any co-payments, shortfalls, or rejected claims as determined by your medical aid scheme.

By acknowledging the limitation of liability, you understand the following terms regarding iScript's role and responsibility.

iScript as a facilitating platform: iScript Health (Dr. Chomba & Associates, Inc) operates as a telehealth platform connecting patients with HPCSA-registered healthcare professionals. Individual doctors and Clinical Associates on the platform are independent contractors who maintain their own professional indemnity insurance and are individually registered with the HPCSA.

Professional liability: Clinical decisions, diagnoses, prescriptions, and treatment plans are the sole responsibility of the individual practitioner providing the service. iScript does not employ practitioners and does not direct their clinical judgment. Any claim arising from clinical negligence or malpractice should be directed against the individual practitioner and their professional indemnity insurer.

Platform liability: iScript's liability is strictly limited to the consultation fee paid by you for the specific service in question. iScript is not liable for indirect, consequential, or special damages arising from the use of the platform, including but not limited to loss of income, pain and suffering, or exacerbation of medical conditions.

Service availability: iScript endeavours to maintain platform availability 24/7 but does not guarantee uninterrupted service. Technical outages, maintenance windows, or circumstances beyond our control may temporarily disrupt service. iScript is not liable for any harm resulting from platform unavailability.

Third-party services: iScript integrates with third-party services including medical aid switching (MediKredit), laboratory services (Ampath), pharmacy delivery partners (Medipost, Pharmacy Direct), and payment processors (Paystack, PayFast). iScript is not responsible for the acts or omissions of these third-party providers.

Indemnity: You agree to indemnify iScript against any claims, damages, or losses arising from your misuse of the platform, provision of false information, or failure to follow medical advice.