Health Care – Patient’s Rights

This is just a summary of what is stated by Malaysia Medical Association (MMA) Patient’s Rights and you can access the full publication from www.mma.org.my

1. RIGHT TO HEALTH CARE AND HUMANE TREATMENT
• Access to competent health care and treatment regardless of age, sex, ethnic origin, religion, political affiliation, economic status or social class
• Available on the basis of clinical need regardless of the ability to pay
• The right to prompt emergency first aid treatment from the nearest government or private medical or health facility
• A child has the right to the company of a parent or guardian
2. RIGHT TO CHOICE OF CARE
• The right to a second opinion anytime
• The right to know the investigations conducted, the result of these investigations and a copy of the medical reports and have them explained
• The right to authorize in writing another health professional to obtain a copy of the same report
• The right to be treated at a hospital of choice and a consultant of choice
• The right to accept or refuse treatment
• The right to discharge and seek the services of another health professional
3. RIGHT TO ACCEPTABLE SAFETY
• The right to a clear and concise explanation in lay terms of the proposed procedure and any alternative procedure
4. RIGHT TO ADEQUATE INFORMATION AND CONSENT
• The right to know the identity and professional status of individuals providing service and which health professional is primarily responsible
• The right to adequate and understandable information on prescribed and purchased medicines
• The right to choose among competitive products
• The right to have an itemized account after any treatment or consultation and to have this explained
• The right to have details of treatment, prognosis and all communication and other related records to be treated as confidential
5. RIGHT TO REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES
• The right to seek legal advice
• The right to recover damages for injury or illness incurred or aggravated as a result of the failure of the health professional the duty and standard of care required
6. RIGHT TO PARTICIPATION AND REPRESENTATION
• The right to participate in decision making
7. RIGHT TO HEALTH EDUCATION
• The right to seek and obtain advice with regards to promotive, preventive and curative medicine
8. RIGHT TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT
• The right to an environment that is conducive to good health