A patient: any person to whom healthcare services are being rendered, shall have a right to:
- Health, well-being and safety;
- Easy access to registration/help desk to get registered and be guided to the respective services as per requirements.
- Special arrangements for elderly people and disabled to have easy access to required health services.
- Be attended to, treated and cared for with due skill, and in a professional manner for the highest attainable standard of health in complete consonance with the principles of medical ethics;
- Be made aware of the full identify and professional status of the Healthcare services provider(s) and other staff providing services;
- Be given information to make informed choices about his healthcare and treatment options and/or to give informed consent, in terms and in a language that he understands;
- Seek second opinion when making decisions about his healthcare, and may be assisted by the healthcare Establishment/healthcare services provider in this regard;
- Accept or refuse any treatment, examination, testa or screening procedure that is advised to him, exceptions being in cases of emergencies and/or mental incapacity in accordance with the law;
- Personal health information to be kept secure and confidential;
- Access his own medical records, including but not limited to, comprehensive medical history, Examination(s), Investigations(s) and treatment along with the progress notes, and obtain copies thereof;
- Not to be discriminated against because of age, disability, gender1, marriage, pregnancy, maternity, race, religion, cultural beliefs, color, caste and/or creed;
- Expect that any care and/or treatment being received is provided by duly qualified and experienced staff;
- Expect that the healthcare services provider of the healthcare establishment, as the case may be, has the capacity and required necessary equipment in order and working condition, for rendering the requisite services, including but not limited to treatment;
- Receive emergency healthcare, unconditionally. However, once the emergency has been dealt with, he may be discharged or referred to another healthcare establishment (emergency requiring healthcare, is a situation threatening immediate danger to life2 or severe irreversible disability, if healthcare is not provided urgently);
- Be treated in privacy and with dignity, and have his religious and cultural beliefs respected throughout the duration of care, including but not limited to, taking history, examination or adopting any other course of action;
- Be made aware of procedures for complaints and resolution of disputes and conflicts;
- File a written complaint to the concerned healthcare service provider, official of the healthcare established or such other organization/person, as the case may be and be associated throughout the progress of the complaint and its outcome;
- Seek compensation if he has harmed by, including but not limited to maladministration, malpractice, negligent treatment, or failure on the part of a healthcare service provider or any staff/employee or other rendering services at the healthcare establishment;
- Be informed and to refuse to participate in research, or any project dealings with his disease, care and treatment;
- Be accompanied by a family member or carer, as the case may be, particularly in cases of children, females, elderly and disabled. The healthcare service provider and/or the healthcare establishment, as the case may be, are to ensure that in cases of children and females in the immediate post anesthesia phase, a female staff shall be present until a family member of carer can join the patient/client.
- Expect that the healthcare service provider, the healthcare Establishment, and/or such other person rendering similar services, as the case may be, shall not be misuse not abuse their fiduciary position vis-à-vis him or his care(s) or family members, as the case may be, for undue favour(s) including but not limited to sexual favour(S) or any other undue or uncalled for reward or privileges in terms of professional fee or gifts etc;
- Be informed as early as possible regarding cancellation and/or postponement of any appointment, surgery, procedure, treatment or meeting, as the case may be;
- Be made aware of the costs, fee and/or expenses, prior to the consultation, treatment or other services, and/or operation/procedure, as the case may be, and receive payment receipt(s) for the same;
- Be given written instructions regarding his treatment, including instructions at the time of discharge;
- Examine and receive an explanation for the bill(s) regardless of the source of payment;