Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) had shared the Charter of Patients’ Rights recommended by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in 2019 with the Government of all States and Union Territories (UTs).  Health is a State subject, thus it is for the respective State/UT Government to adopt, implement and monitor the Charter of Patients’ Rights.  Further, it is also for the respective State/UT Government to display the Patients’ Rights Charter in public and private healthcare facilities as well as on their health department websites, allocate budget for promotion of Patients’ Rights Charter, set up grievance redressal mechanism for patients as recommended by NHRC advisory.

National Council for Clinical Establishments setup under the Clinical Establishments Act, 2010 in MoHFW has, in the year 2021, further updated the aforesaid Patients’ Rights Charter and included additional Patients’ Rights and shared the same with the States and UTs, where the Clinical Establishments Act is applicable.  The updated charter is also available in public domain on the weblink: http://clinicalestablishments.gov.in/WriteReadData/3181.pdf . The implementation of the provisions of the aforesaid Act and the updated Patients’ Rights Charter is within the remit of the respective State/UT Government, where the Act is applicable.

As on 08.02.2022, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri – Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) is implemented by 33 States/UTs.  A pan-India network of more than 25000 hospitals are empanelled under AB PM-JAY for providing healthcare services to the scheme’s beneficiaries.

National Health Authority (NHA) which is mandated to implement the AB PM-JAY, drafted the Patients’ Rights and Responsibilities Charter for hospital empanelled under this scheme. This was adopted from NHRC and international patient charters. Further, in May 2021, NHA issued a communication to various State Health Agencies (SHA) to ensure observance of Patients’ Rights Charter across all empanelled hospitals and to display it at prominent areas in the hospital premises. It was also suggested that the Patients’ Rights Charter booklet be made available with the Pradhan Mantri Arogya Mitra’s kiosk for AB PM-JAY beneficiaries.

NHA releases funds to the SHAs to undertake various beneficiary empowerment activities including Information, Education and Communication (IEC). These funds are intended to be utilized by SHAs for above purpose.

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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MV/AL/GS

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