New Delhi, February 10th, 2012

A section of media has carried news stories giving an impression that the NHRC is drafting a Bill to protect the rights of patients which is not correct. It is clarified that the Commission is concerned about the rights of patients and is strongly in favour of having 'Rights of Patients Act' as it is in other countries, particularly the USA, in order to enable them to know not only about their ailments but also about diagnoses, treatment etc. by the doctors so that they have clear choices whether to continue with the treatment or seek alternative remedies.

The Commission is also concerned about the unavailability of a mechanism wherein a patient is not denied admission and treatment by any hospital or a doctor.

Therefore, the NHRC feels that there is an urgent need to have legislation in place to protect the rights of the patients for which it is raising a debate in the country among all the stakeholders and would like to assist any organization in such an effort.

The NHRC itself has not drafted any Bill which is the prerogative of the Government. However, the NHRC would be willing to cooperate in any endeavour to draft a Bill and give necessary inputs for any proposed legislation.

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