The document sets standards for operation for both consumers and healthcare providers in the country.
Nigeria's Consumer Protection Council has introduced the Patients’ Bill of Right (PBOR) to ensure optimal consumer satisfaction in the health sector.
The initiative was launched in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Health.
Nigeria's vice president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, launched the healthcare bill on Tuesday, July 31, 2018, in Abuja, the nation's capital.
The purpose of the bill is to serve as acceptable standards for health services delivery and optimal consumer satisfaction.
The document also sets standards for operation for both consumers and healthcare providers in the country.
Here are some of the details in the document
- The document spells out the patient's right to information, urgent medical intervention, secure healthcare environment, to be treated with respect and timely access to medical records which must be treated with confidentiality.
- This Bill guarantees the fair treatment of patients and every patient can make his own medical decisions
- To eliminate quacks in the country's healthcare sector as it will serve as a weapon in the hand of patients to demand better healthcare services.
Here are the 12 rights every patient is entitled to according to the document
1. Right to relevant information,
2. Right to timely access to medical records,
3. Right to transparent billing
4. Right to privacy
5. Right to clean healthcare environment
6. Right to be treated with respect.
7. Right to receive urgent care
8. Right to reasonable visitation
9. Right to decline care
10. Right to decline or accept to participate in medical research
11. Right to quality care
12. Right to complain and express dissatisfaction regarding services received.
The Director General of the CPC, Barr. Babatunde Irukera said the rights encapsulated in the Bill have always existed in different laws and the CPC simply aggregated the rights for reference purposes.
The CPC boss said the council took interest in protecting consumers in the healthcare sector considering that life expectancy depends on the quality of healthcare delivery in the country.
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