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SINGAPORE: SMS notifications were sent to more than 700,000 patients to inform them if their data was stolen in the cyberattack, said the health operator in a statement released Saturday (July 21).
These people visited SingHealth's specialized outpatient and polyclinic clinics between May 1, 2015 and July 4 this year, during which 1.5 million patient records were accessed and copied by hackers [19659003] Notifications will be sent over the next two days, SingHealth said.
About 150,000 patients do not have their mobile phone numbers registered with SingHealth; these people will receive letters from here a week to inform them if they are affected.
SingHealth took stock of patient engagement one day after the news revealed that its computer system had been the target of the most serious violation of Singapore's personal data.
The cyberattack, which took place from June 27th to July 4th of this year, allowed 1.5 million records of SingHealth patients to be accessed and copied, 160,000 of which were recorded.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Minister Emeritus Goh Chok Tong were among those affected.
READ: SingHealth cyberattack: what you need to know
Information copied during hacking includes NRIC numbers, addresses, gender, race and date of birth, said SingHealth. No telephone numbers, financial information or other medical records of patients were illegally consulted.
"We apologize without reservation to the patients for the anxiety caused and will continue to do everything we can to help them"
SingHealth also said that about 139,000 patients have consulted the Health Buddy mobile app and its website to check if they are affected.
The health operator also received more than 4,800 patient calls and members of the public inquiring about the cyberattack, and nearly 750 emails.
Patients who are not able to perform a data verification – for example, parents of young children without SingPass account – via the Health Buddy mobile app or the SingHealth website can send a e-mail to the health officer [email protected].
Members of the public and patients can also visit SingHealth's Facebook (www.facebook.com/singhealth) for regular updates.
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