NEWS
Peruvian Clinic Fined Nearly $190,000 for Leaking Shakira’s Medical Records
A private clinic in Peru has been fined approximately $190,000 following the unauthorized release of Colombian pop star Shakira’s medical records earlier this year.
The 48-year-old Grammy-winning singer was hospitalized in Lima in February for an unspecified abdominal condition. Just two days later, she returned to the stage in the Peruvian capital. However, soon after her brief hospital stay, details of her medical report surfaced on social media, triggering backlash from fans and prompting a formal investigation.
The Delgado Auna Clinic, where Shakira received treatment, admitted at the time that the leak constituted a “serious ethical breach” of its code of conduct and Peru’s personal data protection laws.
On Wednesday, Peru’s healthcare oversight agency, Susalud, announced it had imposed a fine of 668,750 soles (approximately $188,355) on the clinic. Susalud said the incident represented a “serious violation” of patient privacy rights, emphasizing that all patients have a right to “dignity and intimacy,” and to the confidential handling of their personal health information.
The Delgado Clinic, located in Lima’s affluent Miraflores district, is a leading private hospital known for serving Peru’s elite and features high-end amenities, including a helicopter landing pad.
As of now, it is unclear whether further disciplinary action will be taken against staff members responsible for the breach.