Are you here to seek for medical attention or to ask me questions? Why did you not stay at home if you knew what was wrong with you? That was an engagement with a health professional recently at a government hospital when I wanted to ask tons of questions about my own health. In conversations with my colleagues both at the office, home or place of worship, they seem ignorant about their health rights and agree with the health professional and that I am too knowing.
So the question I asked myself is do people really know about their health rights at all? Generally in Ghana we believe that doctors and even nurses know it all and for that matter patients do not want to or allowed to ask questions pertaining to their health so very little or nothing is done on their part to help in the delivery of health care.
Many Ghanaians do not know and or do not request to know the identity of the doctor or nurse who treat them when they go to the health centre because they do not know it is their right. I have been to several health centres to observe how many of our health professionals do have their name badges on, a small number of them do have it on but this is enshrined in the Patient’s Rights.
“The Patient has the right to know the identity and professional status of those who care for him/her. All staff of the healthcare provider are expected to wear name badges/tags”.
The presumption that health professionals know it all has resulted in many fatalities which have not been given audience. Many women have been abused sexually in various health centres because they presume health professionals can touch them anyhow without them giving their consent first.
Many people have been diagnosed wrongly one way or the other because they presume the health professionals know it all for that matter little information about their condition was given to the health professional. Many also might have lost their lives because they did not know their patients’ rights.
“The Patient is entitled to full information on his/her condition and management and possible risks. This should be explained in terms that he/she can understand and to have his/her questions answered concerning the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment”.
The Ghana Health Service and its stakeholders in this regard have done little to educate the public on the need to know “Their Rights”.
Mostly the delivery of health care is one sided orchestrated by the health professional but this contravenes the “The Patient’s Rights” of the Ghana Health Service.
THE PATIENT’S RIGHTS
c.
• The Patient is entitled to know the alternative treatment(s) and other healthcare providers if these may contribute to improved outcome.
• The Patient has the right to privacy during consultation, examination and treatment. The healthcare provider, the doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals will protect the patient’s privacy as much as possible.
Conclusion
In all healthcare activities, the Patient’s dignity and interest are paramount. There is therefore the need for Patients to know their Rights and Responsibilities and to co-operate fully with healthcare providers to ensure effective health delivery.