Minister wants ‘Patients’ Charter’ prepared soon

Nadira Gunatilleke

Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has ordered Ministry officials to prepare a `Patients’ Charter’ as soon as possible to ensure the rights of the patients who seek the services of health institutions, a Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said.

He said that the main objectives of the proposed Patients’ Charter are to ensure the dignity of patients while they stay in hospitals and receive treatment and ensuring that they stay in a caring and pleasant environment while being treated.

In several countries around the world there is a code of ethics and laws to ensure the rights and safety of patients but in Sri Lanka no code of ethics exists in order to protect the rights of the patients and ensure their safety. Because of this, patients are very often being subjected to humiliation and harassment.

Sometimes patients become mentally affected due to this type of unethical conduct of health staff. The Charter will also ensure the right of patients to information, he added.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) will assist Sri Lanka to formulate the Patients’ Charter. A full study will be conducted on the implementation of the Patients’ Charters in other countries before drafting the local charter.

Arrangements will also be made to consult professionals in the health sector, civil society, associations etc. in order to obtain their views before drafting the charter.

The organisations involved in protecting patients’ rights, individuals, professional, and all who are interested and wish to contribute with their ideas should contact the Ministry in writing in order to obtain the opportunity to express their views.

They can contact the Deputy Director General, Health Services, Dr. Wimal Jayantha on 0112691711 to obtain invitations for the upcoming meeting to be held on July 24 at the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry, Colombo.