By Miriam Humbe Abuja
The Patients’ Bill of Rights (PBoR) is expected to assist healthcare professionals and professional associations to identify and eliminate the quacks, and educate those who are qualified, but unaware of their obligations and the rights of their patients.
Director General of the Consumer Protection Council, Mr. Babatunde Irukera, said this while delivering a welcome address during the launch of the Patients’ Bill of Rights at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja on Tuesday.
In an address titled, “Patients’ Bill of Rights: Empowering the Consumer”, Irukera said that protecting rights in the healthcare sector was of particular importance, and a defining feature of how society should, and must operate.
“The reason is not farfetched. Needing medical attention is many times the most vulnerable or weakest point for both patient, and many times family. It necessarily connotes desperation, and a combination of these lead to significant impairment in decision making and exposure to abuse and exploitation.
“The PBoR is our boldest step yet in soft infrastructure in healthcare. It is the vital vehicle upon which, even physical infrastructure must ride to truly deliver service.”
