The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has solicited for the implementation and domestication of the Patients’ Bill of Right (PBoR) by state governments as well as Healthcare providers in their clinical activities.
According to the Commission the PBoR. would serve as a measure to boost patients confidence in the healthcare services as well as guarantee an improved patients-doctors relationship and care.
At a training organised by the Commission for Healthcare Providers on the importance of the PBOR, sensitised Medical practitioners, Caregivers and stakeholders in the healthcare sector on various aspects of patients rights including right to consent to or refuse treatment, right to quality of care, right to emergency services, obligations of patients to pay their bills, Privacy, Confidentiality, Complaint management and Conflict resolution.
The Technical Assistance to the Executive Vice Chairman of the FCCPC, Mrs. Morayo Adisa said the training was facilitated for healthcare workers in Southwest region to sensitize them on the Patients’ Bill of Right noting that the document collated all rights of the patients under Nigerian law including the responsibility of the patient as well as those of healthcare providers to their patients.
She expressed the hope of the commission that with the sensitization program, healthcare providers would facilitate the domestication of the PBoR in their facilities which would increase the confidence of patients seeking healthcare.
Also speaking, Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Oyo State, Dr. Wale Lasisi noted that with recent advancement in internet use, most people; patients and doctors were being enlightened on their rights and there is the assurance that improvements will be experienced as regards rights of patients and caregivers.
Participants at the training expressed optimism and hope that stakeholders would work the talk as regards implementation of the PBoR which would go along way in protecting both the patients’ and doctors’ rights.
