Integrating Blockchain and Smart Card Technologies for Secure Healthcare Data Management

Abstract

In recent years, the healthcare sector has faced growing challenges in managing patient data securely and efficiently, especially when it comes to data privacy and the way information is shared across healthcare providers. A number of digital solutions have been proposed over time, but more recently, blockchain has started to gain serious interest. Its structure allows data to remain intact and traceable, while also offering a strong layer of security. This paper explores how blockchain based smart contract might be used alongside smart cards to offer a more robust system for protecting patient information. Smart cards bring in a physical barrier that helps limit access to only those who are authorized, while blockchain makes it much harder to tamper with information or centralize control. The suggested method demonstrates how the decentralized and immutable nature of blockchain, combined with the physical authentication provided by smart cards and the automation of smart contracts improve data security and restrict unauthorized access. The proposed framework is evaluated through smart contract deployment and testing on both the Hardhat local network and the Celo public testnet. The results confirm the practicality and efficiency of the solution and support its potential for real world application in secure healthcare data management.