Ordinance guards patient rights too

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Health Services Persons and Healthcare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Ordinance proposed to be issued by the State government, while proposing that all violent acts committed against a hospital and its staff be made a cognizable and non-bailable offence, has included provisions to ensure patients rights also. The ordinance proposes that any person or persons committing acts of violence against a hospital and its staff is liable to be punished with imprisonment for a period of up to three years with fine up to Rs.50,000.It also proposes that the rights of patients to receive complete information about the medical treatment received at the respective hospital be ensured and that the patients right to redressal of any grievances regarding any lapse in medical treatment or service provided by a hospital be ensured.

All healthcare institutions, including those under the State, Centre or run by local bodies, private hospitals, private maternity homes, private nursing homes, clinics and residences and consulting rooms of all doctors will be covered against violence under the ordinance.