  Health datasets have immense potential to drive research advancements and
improve healthcare outcomes. However, realizing this potential requires careful
consideration of governance and ownership frameworks. This article explores the
importance of nurturing governance and ownership models that facilitate
responsible and ethical use of health datasets for research purposes. We
highlight the importance of adopting governance and ownership models that
enable responsible and ethical utilization of health datasets and clinical data
registries for research purposes. The article addresses the important local and
international regulations related to the utilization of health data/medical
records in research, and emphasizes the urgent need for developing clear
institutional and national guidelines on data access, sharing, and utilization,
ensuring transparency, privacy, and data protection. By establishing robust
governance structures and fostering ownership among stakeholders,
collaboration, innovation, and equitable access to health data can be promoted,
ultimately unlocking its full power for transformative research and improving
global health outcomes.
