Latest update January 17th, 2025 6:30 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Patient Charter to be ready by year-end – Ramsammy

Jul 11, 2011 News

The Ministry of Health is anticipating the completion of the Patient Charter, which has been in the making for a decade, by year-end, according to Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy.
The Patient Charter, also known as the Patient Bill of Rights, sets out the rights of patients of general practice, hospital treatment, community treatment and ambulance, dental, optical, pharmaceutical and maternity services.
Dr. Ramsammy revealed that the final draft document was ruined in the fire, which destroyed the then Ministry of Health building in July 2009. Extensive consultations engaging healthcare professionals and potential patients were executed to craft the final draft.
He noted that the document was prepared as part of the Ministry’s Health Sector Reform and when completed, it is expected to be incorporated in the Ministry of Health Act.
Ramsammy assured that the implementation of the Patient Charter would improve the standard of service patients receive.
Oftentimes, many patients in Guyana have complained about harassments in the health sector. It is expected that the presence of this document would inform patients of their rights.
However, this document should not determine how medical practitioners treat patients as they have to adhere to the Medical Practitioner Act 1991, which clearly outlines the manner the relationship shared between patients and medical practitioners.
The Act states that all patients are entitled to good standards of practice and care from their medical practitioners. The essential elements of good standard of practice include good relationships with patients.
It further notes that a medical practitioner should listen to his patients, respect their views, and treat them with dignity and respect in a polite and considerate manner.
Dr. Ramsammy posited that few developing countries including South Africa have a formal Patient Charter. Trinidad and Tobago has drafted a Patient Charter but no other Caribbean country has a formal one.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is on the basis of the concept of the person, and the fundamental dignity and equality of all human beings that the notion of patient rights was developed.
It was noted that there is growing international consensus that all patients have a fundamental right to privacy, to the confidentiality of their medical information, to consent to or to refuse treatment, and to be informed about relevant risk to them of medical procedures.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 13th, 2025

 

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Windies captain Brathwaite stresses bravery, belief ahead of Pakistan Test Series

Windies captain Brathwaite stresses bravery, belief ahead of Pakistan...

Jan 17, 2025

SportsMax – With the stakes high and the odds challenging, West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite has placed an unyielding focus on self-belief and bravery as key factors for his team to deliver...
Read More
In-form Savory dazzles on second day with classy half-century

In-form Savory dazzles on second day with classy...

Jan 17, 2025

Moo Milk sponsors National U12 Chess tourneys

Moo Milk sponsors National U12 Chess tourneys

Jan 17, 2025

Determinators’ 2-1 win over Pele FC keep them alive as DeJonge needles Potaro

Determinators’ 2-1 win over Pele FC keep them...

Jan 17, 2025

Lusignan Golf Club to host Inaugural GBTI Mastercard Golf Classic this Sunday

Lusignan Golf Club to host Inaugural GBTI...

Jan 17, 2025

GFF Referee department recognizes top performances at Referee Award Ceremony, FIFA badges issued

GFF Referee department recognizes top...

Jan 17, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]