Osinbajo launches first bill of rights to protect vulnurable patients

Vice president Yemi Osinbajo has launched the first ‘Patients Bill of Rights’ PBoR by Consumer protection council CPC to protect and help vulnurable Nigerians get easy access to quality heath care services.

Speaking at the launch on Tuesday at the state house in Abuja, osinbajo noted that Nigeria is faced with diverse health care challenges adding that the PBoR will complement governments efforts to ensure that Nigerians get the health care they are entitled to, especially vulnerable Nigerians.

He further stressed that the bill borders on human rights and respect for human dignity ” one can tell a great deal how a country values its citizens from it’s health care institutions and this is the responsibility of not only healthcare practitioners but includes the entire healthcare value chains” he said.

The Director General of the CPC, Babatunde Irukera said the bill will ensure the rights of patients in the healthcare sector are truly respected and protected and empower Nigerians to demand quality health care service.

According to him, how  people are treated at the time of need including after it, are features in measuring the quality and values of society and attention to our shared humanity.

Barr. Irukera informed that ‘patients bill of rights will hep eliminate quacks in the health care system.

“There are many, who unqualified, pass themselves off as professionals, and others, who though qualified do not know, nor live up to applicable standards.

“This PBoR will assist healthcare professionals and professional associations to identify and eliminate these quacks, and educate those who are qualified, but unaware of their obligations and the rights of their patients.

“The importance of Protecting rights in the healthcare sector is a defining feature if how a society should, and must operate. The reason is not farfetched.  needing medical attention is many times the most vulnerable or weakest point for both patient, and many times family exposing them to abuse and exploitation.

The Bill of Rights covers 12 rights that patients are entitled to including right to access information, right to timely access to medical records, right to transparent billing, right to privacy, right  to receive urgent care, right to reasonable visitation, right to decline  care, right to quality care and right to complain and express dissatisfaction regarding services received.