The Nigerian Government recently launched a Patient Bill of Rights on the 31st of July, 2018. In keeping with this Patients Bill of Rights, Patients at DELSUTH have the following rights:
- Right to relevant information in a language and manner the patient understands, including diagnosis, treatment, other procedures, and possible outcomes
- Right to timely access to detailed and accurate medical records and available services
- Right to transparent billing and full disclosure of any cost, including recommended treatment plans
- Right to privacy and confidentiality of medical records
- Right to a clean, safe and secure healthcare environment
- Right to be treated with respect, regardless of gender, age, race, religion, ethnicity, allegations of crime, disability or economic circumstances
- Right to receive urgent, immediate and sufficient intervention and care in the event of an emergency
- Right to reasonable visitation in accordance with prevailing rules and regulations
- Right to decline care, subject to prevailing laws and upon full disclosure of the consequences of such a decision
- Right to decline or consent to participate in medical research, experimental procedures or clinical trials
- Right to quality care in accordance with prevailing standards
- Right to complain and express dissatisfaction regarding services received
PATIENTS RESPONSIBILITIES
To ensure that treatment given by our medical team here in DELSUTH is successful, a high level of cooperation is needed from the Patients. Patients contribute to their care when they carry out the following responsibilities:
- Are completely honest and forthcoming with their doctors and clearly express their concerns.
- Provide as complete and accurate medical history as much as possible. This should include providing information about past illnesses, medications, hospitalizations, family history of illness, and other matters relating to present health
- Cooperate with Doctors on agreed-on treatment plans.
- Accept care from medical students, residents, and other trainees under appropriate supervision. Participation in medical education is to the mutual benefit of patients and the healthcare system; nonetheless, patients’ (or surrogates’) refusal of care by a trainee should be respected in keeping with ethics guidance.
- Promptly meet their financial responsibilities with regard to medical care or discuss financial hardships with the Medical Social Services Department.
- To be aware that health workers would endeavor to always act in their best interests. However, being human beings, are susceptible to occasional mistakes and lapses
- Be aware of and refrain from behavior that unreasonably places the health of others at risk. They should ask about what they can do to prevent the transmission of infectious disease.
- Refrain from being disruptive in the clinical setting.
- Not knowingly initiate or participate in medical fraud.
- Report illegal or unethical behavior by doctors or other healthcare professionals to the appropriate medical societies, licensing boards, or law enforcement authorities.