Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 1 January 2025

At Weight Loss Centre, located in Boston, Bellville, Cape Town, we are committed to protecting your privacy and personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (where applicable), and other relevant laws, including health data regulations. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and safeguard your data when you visit weightlosscentre.co.za, book appointments, or interact with our services, including advertisements on Meta (Facebook/Instagram) and Google platforms.

1. Who We Are

Weight Loss Centre is a bariatric endoscopy practice led by Dr. Andrew Viljoen, a specialist general surgeon, offering non-surgical weight loss solutions such as the Allurion Balloon, Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG), and GLP-1 agonist injections. Our contact details are:

  • Address: Weight Loss Centre, No.14 1st Avenue, Boston, Bellville, Northern Suburbs, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
  • Email: info@weightlosscentre.co.za
  • Phone: +27 (0)21 023 3631
  • Information Officer: Dr. Andrew Viljoen

2. Information We Collect

We collect the following types of personal information to provide our services:

  • Personal Identifiers: Name, email address, phone number, and date of birth provided via our appointment request form or email/phone inquiries.
  • Health Information: Medical history, weight loss goals, or procedure preferences shared during consultations or form submissions (e.g., interest in Allurion Balloon or ESG). This is classified as special personal information under POPIA and protected accordingly.
  • Website Usage Data: IP address, browser type, pages visited, and time spent on our site, collected via cookies, Meta Pixel, and Google Analytics.
  • Marketing Data: Preferences for receiving newsletters or ad interactions (e.g., clicks on Meta/Google ads).

 

3. How We Collect Information

We collect data through:

  • Website Forms: Appointment request forms on weightlosscentre.co.za/contact.
  • Direct Communication: Phone calls, emails, or in-person consultations.
  • Automated Tools:
    • Cookies: For analytics and personalised ads.
    • Meta Pixel/Google Analytics: Tracks site visits and ad performance (anonymised unless linked to form submissions).
  • Advertising Platforms: Meta (Facebook/Instagram) and Google Ads collect data on ad engagement (e.g., clicks, impressions) for campaign optimisation.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your data for the following purposes:

  • Service Delivery:
    • - To schedule appointments and confirm bookings.To provide medical consultations and weight loss treatments (e.g., Allurion Balloon, ESG, GLP-1).
    • - To respond to inquiries or provide customer support.
  • Marketing:
    • - To send newsletters or promotional offers (with consent).
    • - To serve targeted ads on Meta/Google based on interests (e.g., weight loss, health procedures), not sensitive health data.
  • Analytics:
    • Improve website functionality and ad performance using anonymised data.
  • Legal Compliance:
    • - To comply with POPIA, GDPR, HIPAA (if applicable), and HPCSA regulations.
    • - To maintain records for medical services as required by law.

Lawful Basis (POPIA/GDPR): We process data based on consent, contractual necessity (e.g., bookings), legitimate interests (e.g., analytics), or legal obligations.

5. Sharing Your Information

We share your data only in these cases:

  • Service Providers:
    • - Hosting providers 
    • - Payment processors 
    • - Marketing tools (e.g., Meta, Google Ads, email platforms) for ads and analytics, with anonymised data where possible.
  • Medical Professionals: With consent, we may share health data with referring specialists for treatment continuity (e.g., dietitians).
  • Legal Requirements: If required by law (e.g., court orders) or to protect our rights.

Note: We do not sell or rent your data to third parties. Meta/Google ad platforms may process anonymised data for ad delivery, per their policies.

6. Data Security

We implement robust measures to protect your data:

  • - Encryption: SSL encryption for website traffic (HTTPS).
  • - Access Controls: Only authorised staff (e.g., Dr. Viljoen, admin team) access patient data, with role-based permissions.
  • - Storage: Data stored on secure, POPIA-compliant servers 
  • - Regular Audits: Annual security reviews to ensure compliance with POPIA, GDPR, and HIPAA (if applicable).

Health Data: Special personal information (e.g., medical history) is stored with additional encryption and access restrictions, per POPIA/HIPAA.

7. Your Rights

Under POPIA and GDPR (where applicable), you have the right to:

  • - Access: Request a copy of your personal data.
  • - Correction: Update inaccurate data.
  • - Deletion: Request removal of your data (subject to legal retention periods).
  • - Restriction: Limit how we process your data.
  • - Objection: Opt out of marketing or automated processing (e.g., ads).
  • - Portability: Receive your data in a transferable format.

To exercise these rights, contact us at info@weightlosscentre.co.za. We’ll respond within 30 days (or 7 days for POPIA urgent requests). 

 

  1. Cookies & Tracking

We use cookies to enhance your experience:

  • - Essential Cookies: Enable site functionality (e.g., form submissions).
  • - Analytics Cookies: Track site usage via Google Analytics, Meta Pixel (anonymised).
  • - Advertising Cookies: Deliver relevant ads on Meta/Google platforms.

9. Data Retention

We retain data as follows:

  • - Patient Records: Five years after last contact, per HPCSA guidelines.
  • - Website Forms: Two years unless converted to patient record.
  • - Analytics Data: 26 months (Google Analytics default).
  • - Marketing Data: Until you unsubscribe or request deletion.

Data is securely deleted after retention periods unless required by law.

10. International Data Transfers

If data is transferred outside South Africa (e.g., to Meta/Google servers in the US), we ensure:

  • - GDPR-compliant safeguards (e.g., Standard Contractual Clauses).
  • - POPIA Section 72 compliance (recipient meets SA data protection standards).
  • - HIPAA-compliant agreements for health data (if applicable).

11. Third-Party Links

Our site may link to third-party sites (e.g., Meta, Google). We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Review their policies before sharing data.

12. Children’s Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under 18. We do not knowingly collect data from minors. Contact us if you believe we have such data.

13. Updates to This Policy

We may update this policy to reflect legal or operational changes. Updates will be posted on weightlosscentre.co.za with the new effective date. Check back periodically.

14. Contact Us

For questions, concerns, or to exercise your rights, contact:

  • Email: info@weightlosscentre.co.za
  • Phone: +27 (0)21 023 3631
  • Address: Weight Loss Centre, No. 14 1st Avenue, Boston, Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa

Thank you for trusting the Weight Loss Centre with your personal information. We are committed to safeguarding your privacy while helping you achieve your health goals.