Draft Charter of Patients‘ Rights released

If it comes into force, patients will have the rights to non-discrimination, seek a second opinion, and choose alternative treatment options, if available.

If the draft Charter of Patients‘ Rights released by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare comes into force, patients will not just have the right to emergency medical care and informed consent, but will also have the rights to non-discrimination, seek a second opinion, and choose alternative treatment options, if available.

The draft, prepared by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), was put up on the Health Ministry‘s website on August 30, inviting comments and suggestions. According to a notice issued by Joint Secretary Sudhir Kumar, the ministry plans to implement the charter through State governments for provision of proper healthcare by clinical establishments.