WHO launches Patient Safety Rights Charter at 6th Global Ministerial Summit to ensure universal healthcare safety standards

New Delhi: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has an initiative that aims to ensure patient safety. The Patient Safety Rights Charter was recently launched during the Sixth Global Ministerial Summit on Patient Safety, hosted by the Government of Chile in Santiago, Chile. It represents a turning point in supporting patients’ rights regarding safety and aims to help stakeholders create laws, policies, and guidelines to maintain safety standards for patients.

Patient safety includes processes, procedures, and cultural norms within healthcare systems. It is crucial for minimising risks and ensuring the well-being of patients. The Charter focuses on the universal entitlement to safe healthcare, irrespective of demographic factors and highlights the fundamental principle of healthcare – “Do no harm.”

The Charter outlines 10 essential patient safety rights, which include:

• Timely, effective, and appropriate care.
• Safe healthcare processes and practices.
• Qualified and competent healthcare workers.
• Safe and rational use of medical products.
• Safe and secure healthcare facilities.
• Dignity, respect, non-discrimination, privacy, and confidentiality.
• Access to information, education, and supported decision-making.
• Access to medical records.
• The right to be heard and fair resolution.
• Patient and family engagement.

The Charter outlines 10 essential patient safety rights, which include:WHO Director of Integrated Health Services, Dr Rudi Eggers, “Assuring patient safety is a global priority, and a critical component needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”

“The charter will be a key resource in assisting countries in integrating essential concepts such as patient and family engagement, equity, dignity, and access to information into their health care systems,” said Dr Neelam Dhingra, the Head of Patient Safety Flagship Unit at WHO.

The Charter provides healthcare workers, leaders, and governments with essential tools to create patient-centred systems, empowering patients to speak up for themselves.