Are digital forms and eSignatures POPIA-compliant for capturing patient data? - South Africa

Digital transformation is changing the way healthcare providers collect and manage patient data — but with that change comes responsibility. In South Africa, POPIA sets strict standards for how personal health information must be handled. If you're using digital forms and eSignatures to capture consent, it's critical to ensure that every interaction aligns with the law.

This article unpacks what POPIA compliance really means in the context of electronic patient consent, and how the right eSignature solution can help you stay secure, compliant, and trusted. 

Capturing patient data digitally sounds efficient — but is it POPIA-compliant? 

If you’re a South African healthcare provider using digital forms and eSignatures to capture patient information, POPIA compliance isn’t optional — it’s essential. 

POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act) sets strict rules for how personal and health-related information must be collected, stored, and processed. Failure to comply doesn’t just risk data breaches — it can lead to serious financial and reputational damage. 

So how can healthcare providers stay compliant while digitising consent and onboarding? 

eSignatures: a smart, secure way to capture patient consent 

Done right, eSignatures are more than just a digital signature. They can: 

• Prove consent with audit trails 

• Help enforce data minimisation by structuring form logic 

• Encrypt data and restrict access via multi-factor authentication 

• Automate compliance tracking with real-time verification 

With SigniFlow, you get a compliant, scalable solution tailored to the needs of modern healthcare teams. 

Key POPIA-compliant practices for patient data 

To remain compliant when using digital forms and eSignatures: 

• Collect only what’s necessary 

• Secure data with encryption and access control 

• Obtain and log clear patient consent 

• Set and follow retention policies 

• Use solutions that integrate with your patient management system 

• Perform regular audits and staff training 

Why this matters now 

From faster onboarding to reduced admin, the shift to digital is well underway. But in healthcare — where trust is everything — compliance must be baked into every step.   

SigniFlow helps healthcare providers digitise confidently, combining usability with end-to-end compliance. 

Let compliance be your competitive edge 

Compliance shouldn’t be a barrier — it should be your strength. With SigniFlow, you can protect patient data, streamline processes, and earn trust with every interaction. 

• Explore SigniFlow’s eSignature solutions. 

• Contact us to learn how we support healthcare providers in South Africa and beyond.

Read the full blog here.