James Emejo in Abuja
The Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, (FCCPC), Mr. Babatunde Irukera, has said the commission’s Patients’ Bill of Rights (PBOR) would be one of the major considerations to determine any wrong-doing in the investigation of the death of Greatness Olorunfemi, a victim of the notorious ‘one-chance’ operators in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Irukera, a member of the nine-member independent panel inaugurated by the Minister of FCT, Mr. Nyesome Wike, to investigate the fatal occurrence, said the PBOR would also strengthen the value chain to prevent an avoidable fatality.
Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, had in July 2018 launched the bill, which was meant to articulate the rights of patients in the healthcare sector.
The bill was aimed at effectively addressing the issue of consumer abuse in the healthcare sector, highlights the responsibilities of patients and eliminates prevailing ambiguities regarding the legitimate expectations patients should have when receiving care from providers.
Also, as a standard-setting effort, the bill represents a transparent benchmark that empowers consumers to recognise, demand, and insist that their rights be respected, while guiding providers about the scope and extent of their obligations to patients.
Speaking at a forum, Irukera said, “The Patients’ Bill of Rights is really just an aggregation of rights that patients have. Different instruments whether ethical codes, legislation, global practices, and responsibilities by law.
“So, it will certainly be one of the considerations that I expect the panel would look at in determining what went wrong if anything went wrong.”
He said, “Beyond looking at what went wrong, more importantly, how to strengthen the value chain so that where preventable, we will not experience avoidable fatalities and even when a fatality is not preventable, if there is anything that can strengthen the process to dignify people, I am sure those will be the considerations.”
Under the bill, patients could demand rights to relevant information in a language and manner they understand, right to timely access to detailed and accurate medical records and available services, right to transparent billing and full disclosure of any cost, and right to privacy and confidentiality of medical records.
Others include the right to a clean, safe, and secure healthcare environment; the right to be treated with respect, regardless of gender, race, or religion; the right to receive urgent, immediate, and sufficient intervention and care in the event of an emergency and the right to decline care subject to prevailing laws upon full disclosure of the consequence of such a decision.
Earlier, the Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, said the panel’s recommendations will ascertain the clinical status at the time of arrival of the patient at the Maitama Districts Hospital and any progression to and until her death.
She said the panel would determine the role of parties in the matter and her unfortunate death in order to make recommendations for similar situations.
She noted that the role and responsibilities of the panel in investigating the alleged death and ensuring accountability were crucial in upholding justice and maintaining public trust.
Fasawe said, “In cases of alleged deaths, an impartial and independent panel is often established to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the individuals or entities responsible for the death.
“This panel is responsible for conducting a comprehensive inquiry, collecting and analysing evidence, interviewing witnesses, and examining relevant documents and records.
“The findings of the investigation are expected to be transparent and unbiased, providing clarity and closure to the deceased’s family and the public.” Furthermore, the panel plays a vital role in ensuring accountability by holding individuals or institutions accountable for any wrongdoing or negligence that contributed to the death.
“This accountability may involve recommending legal actions, disciplinary measures, or policy changes to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future,” she said.
According to her, the panel would investigate, unravel, and recommend the way forward to forestall future occurrences.
She said, “The nine-man panel will gain a comprehensive understanding in addressing these challenges for accountability and transparency going forward.
“The panel must be impartial as well as devoid of external influences as well as operate within the confine of the law.
“They must be thorough and respect the rights of all in their operations.
“FCT will henceforth review the mortality in all its hospitals. The process in reviewing the death of Greatness is crucial to the development of the FCT health sector system.”
