Welcome to Rio Children's Hospital, with branches located in Madurai, Dindigul, and Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal and medical information when you visit our website (https://www.riochildrenshospital.com/), use our healthcare services, or communicate with us through our digital platforms.

Rio Children's Hospital is committed to protecting patient privacy and ensuring that personal and health information is handled securely and responsibly. All personal data is processed in accordance with applicable Indian laws, including the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, the Information Technology Act, 2000, and applicable medical confidentiality regulations.

1. Information We Collect

When you interact with our hospital or website, we may collect the following categories of information:

Personal Identification Information

  • Name
  • Date of birth
  • Gender
  • Relationship to the patient (e.g., parent or guardian)

Contact Information

  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Residential or postal address

Health and Medical Information

  • Medical history
  • Consultation details
  • Vaccination records
  • Fertility treatment records
  • Maternity progress information
  • Diagnostic reports and other clinical information required for providing healthcare services

Health information collected by the hospital is treated as sensitive personal data and handled in strict accordance with applicable healthcare confidentiality standards.

Technical Information

When you browse our website, we may automatically collect certain technical information including:

  • IP address
  • Browser type
  • Device information
  • Operating system
  • Website interaction data collected through cookies or analytics tools

2. How We Collect Information

We collect information through the following methods:

Direct Interactions

When you fill out forms on our website (such as appointment booking forms), register or provide information at our hospital branches, or contact us via phone, email, website forms, or WhatsApp.

Medical Consultations

Information shared directly with doctors, nurses, or hospital staff during consultations, diagnosis, treatment, or follow-up care.

Automated Technologies

Certain technical information may be collected automatically through cookies and website analytics when you interact with our website.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal and medical information strictly for the purpose of delivering and improving healthcare services, including:

  • Scheduling and managing medical appointments
  • Maintaining medical records and treatment history
  • Providing pediatric, maternity, fertility, and emergency medical care
  • Sending appointment confirmations and reminders
  • Sending vaccination reminders or follow-up care notifications
  • Responding to inquiries and support requests
  • Improving website performance and patient experience
  • Complying with legal, regulatory, and medical board requirements

We do not sell or trade personal or medical data for commercial purposes.

4. WhatsApp Communication and Messaging

To improve patient communication and convenience, Rio Children's Hospital may use the WhatsApp Business Platform. By submitting your phone number through our website, hospital registration forms, or other official channels, you consent to receive communications from Rio Children's Hospital via WhatsApp, which may include automated or manual messages.

These communications may include:

  • Appointment confirmations and reminders
  • Vaccination reminders
  • Follow-up care notifications
  • Hospital service updates
  • Patient support responses

Opt-In

We send WhatsApp messages only to individuals who have voluntarily provided their phone number and consented to such communication.

Data Protection

Your phone number and communications are handled securely and used solely for hospital communication purposes. Rio Children's Hospital will never sell, rent, or misuse your contact information.

Compliance

All messaging communications are conducted in accordance with WhatsApp Business Messaging Policies and Meta platform standards.

Opt-Out

You may opt out of WhatsApp communications at any time by replying with "STOP" or by contacting our hospital administration.

5. Data Storage and Security

Rio Children's Hospital implements appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect personal and medical information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

  • Secure electronic medical record systems
  • Restricted staff access to sensitive information
  • Secure server storage
  • Administrative confidentiality policies

While we take reasonable steps to protect personal information, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure. Therefore, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Sharing of Information

Rio Children's Hospital respects patient confidentiality and does not sell or rent personal data to third parties. We may share information only in the following circumstances:

Internal Medical Staff

With doctors, nurses, and authorized hospital personnel strictly on a need-to-know basis to provide healthcare services.

Service Providers

With trusted third-party service providers who support our operations, such as website hosting providers, IT support services, SMS communication platforms, and WhatsApp messaging providers. These service providers are required to maintain strict confidentiality and data protection standards.

Legal Requirements

When required by law, court order, regulatory authorities, or to protect the safety and rights of patients, staff, or the hospital.

7. Cookies and Website Tracking

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance user experience and analyze website performance. Cookies help us:

  • Understand website traffic
  • Improve website functionality
  • Optimize user navigation

By continuing to use our website, you consent to our use of cookies. You may disable cookies through your browser settings, although some website features may not function properly.

8. User Rights and Choices

Under applicable data protection laws, users may have the following rights:

Access

You may request access to personal information held by the hospital.

Correction

You may request correction of inaccurate or incomplete contact information.

Deletion

You may request deletion of non-medical personal data, subject to applicable legal and healthcare record retention requirements.

Communication Preferences

You may opt out of receiving promotional communications, SMS notifications, or WhatsApp messages at any time.

9. Data Retention

Rio Children's Hospital retains personal and medical data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. Medical records may be retained for the duration required under applicable healthcare regulations and legal record retention requirements in India.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

Rio Children's Hospital reserves the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy as necessary to reflect changes in services, technology, or legal requirements. Any updates will be published on this page with a revised "Last Updated" date. Users are encouraged to review this policy periodically.

11. Data Protection / Grievance Officer

If you have concerns or complaints regarding data protection or privacy practices, you may contact our designated grievance officer:

Rio Children's Hospital

Tuticorin Ring Road, Masthanpati
Madurai – 625020, Tamil Nadu, India

Phone: 0452-2555222 / +91 77083 18222

Email: info@riohospital.com