Most of the times in India patients are less aware of their rights.
There is no law to deal with patient’s rights, except some aspects of the Consumer Protection Act.
The patient’s bill of rights, will address an information lag in medical delivery in the country.
What are the needed rights?
Every patient is entitled to quality healthcare and treatment consistent with available resources and accepted medical standards, regardless of caste, creed or religion.
A patient has the right to information about doctors.
The patient’s relatives have a right to know about the condition of the patient, immediately after life-saving measures are instituted.
They have a right to participate in the decision related to the treatment, especially if it is an end of life situation.
The pros and cons of using invasive life-support devices and the chances for cure have to be clearly explained to patients in understandable language.
The patient has a right to information, in non-clinical terms, on complications, risks, benefits, and alternative treatments and the chance of cure or benefit.
Every patient has the right to refuse treatment and to be informed of the consequences of his/her refusal.
A patient has the right to respectful treatment. This means that a patient’s dignity is paramount to healthcare. e.g It is highly unethical to use measures to prolong oxygenation after vital systems have stopped working spontaneously.
The patient has the right to care and treatment in a safe environment.
The patient can to refuse to participate in any research projects.
A patient also has the right to privacy and confidentiality on matters concerning medical care.
Every hospital should have a charter which shall identify the roles and responsibilities of hospital staff towards patients’ and families’ rights.
