The Health Professions Authority of Zimbabwe (HPA) plays a crucial role in safeguarding the nation’s health by regulating private and public health institutions. Beyond its regulatory function, HPA is also instrumental in promoting and protecting patient rights through its oversight of the Patients Charter of Zimbabwe. This article unpacks HPA’s mandate and delves into the key tenets of the Patients Charter, empowering citizens to understand their rights within the healthcare system.
HPA’s Mandate
- Health Facility Registration
Health Professions Authority registers and regulates private and public health institutions to ensure set standards are upheld in healthcare facilities in Zimbabwe.
- Health Facility Inspections: HPA carries out routine inspections of existing health facilities to ensure minimum standards are maintained as per set guidelines.
- Umbrella Body: HPA is an umbrella body of eight health Professions Councils namely:
- Nurses Council of Zimbabwe
- Pharmacists Council of Zimbabwe
- Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe
- Allied Health Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe
- Environmental Health Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe
- Medical Rehabilitation Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe
- Medical Laboratory and Clinical Scientists Council of Zimbabwe
- Natural Therapists Council
- Appellant Body for Professionals: HPA handles disputes between health professionals and their Councils.
- Appellant Body for Patients: HPA is the appellant body for members of the public with any healthcare delivery grievances.
The Patients Charter: Empowering Patients
The Patients Charter of Zimbabwe outlines the fundamental rights of patients within the healthcare system. It serves as a vital tool for empowering individuals to actively participate in their own healthcare and demand quality services. Key aspects of the charter include:
1.PATIENTS RIGHTS
Patients have the right to health care and humane treatment. Every individual shall have access to competent health care and treatment regardless of age, sex, origin, religion, political affiliation, economic status or social class. Health care services shall be available on the basis of clinical need regardless of the ability to pay. It shall be the responsibility of the government to ensure that every person has access to essential health services. Every patient shall be treated with care, consideration, respect and dignity, without discrimination of any kind, including vulnerable groups such as children,women,people with physical challenges and rural dwellers, taking into consideration issues of accessibility to both physical structures and information.
All drugs and vaccines shall be of acceptable standards in terms of quality, efficacy and safety. In an emergency, every individual shall have the right to prompt treatment from the nearest medical /health facility. A child admitted to hospital shall whenever possible have the right to the company of a parent or guardian.
2.CONFIDENTIALITY
A patient shall have the right for the details of the patient’s care (including the use of new technology) prognosis and all communication and other records relating to the patients care to be treated as confidential unless the release of such information is authorized in writing by the patient. Information can also be released in situations in which it is undesirable on medical grounds to seek a patient’s consent, but it is in the patient’s own interest that confidentiality be broken or unless such information is required by due legal process.
3.PRIVACY
Patients shall be interviewed, examined and treated in surroundings designed to ensure reasonable privacy and shall have the right to be accompanied during any physical examination or treatment if they so wish.
4.RIGHT TO CHOICE OF CARE
A patient has the right to second opinion at any time while consulting the same medical or health care delivery system.
A patient or next of kin has the right to an explanation about their case history and medical records, and to have them explained. The patient or next of kin has the right to authorize in writing for another for another health professional to obtain a copy of the medical records and to inform him or her of what they contain.
If a patient’s health professional refuses to allow another health professional to be called in, or breaches any other provisions of this charter, the patient shall have the right to seek alternative service /care or to take the issue up with the Health Professions Authority.
5.RIGHT TO SAFETY
A patient, if not incapacitated, has the right to a clear, concise explanation -in layman terms-of the proposed procedure and of any available alternative procedure, before any treatment or investigation. The explanation should incorporate information on risks, side effects, problems relating to recuperation, likelihood of success, risk of death and whether the proposed procedure to be administered is an investigation.
It is a legal requirement that clients/patients accept treatment or other intervention where the condition may affect the wider public.
6.RIGHT TO ADEQUATE INFORMATION AND CONSENT
A Patient has the right to know the identity and professional status of the individuals providing services to the patient and to know which health professional is primarily responsible for his or her care, including the right to adequate and coherent information on prescribed and purchased medicines. The patient also has the right to choose among competitive products based on unbiased information as well as the right to know his or her prognosis and everything about their medical problem.
A patient’s written consent shall be required for the inclusion of a patient in any research or teaching programme. The patient shall be adequately informed of the aims, methods, anticipated benefits and potential hazards of the study and any discomfort it may entail. The patient shall be informed that he or she is free not to participate in the study and that he or she is free to withdraw his or her consent to participate at any time.
To ensure that informed consent is not obtained under duress or from a patient in dependant relationship to a health professional, the informed consent shall be obtained by a health professional who is not engaged in the investigation and who is completely independent of the official relationship between the patient and the health professional responsible for the research. In the case of a child, informed consent shall be obtained from the parent or guardian.
7.RIGHT TO REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES
A patient shall have access to appropriate grievance handling procedures, bearing in mind that healthcare professionals are not superhuman.
A patient shall have the right to claim damages for injury or illness incurred or aggravated as a result of the failure of the health professional to exercise the duty and standard of care required of him or her, while treating the patient.
A patient shall have the right to legal advice regarding any malpractice by a health care professional.
8.RIGHT TO PARTICIPATION AND REPRESENTATION
A patient shall have the right to participate in decision making affecting his or her own health with the health professionals and other support staff involved in direct health care or through consumer representation, in planning and evaluating the system of health services, the types and qualities of service and the conditions of service under which health services are or were delivered or to give an assessment of the quality of services offered to him or her.
9.RIGHT TO HEALTH EDUCATION
Every individual shall have the right to seek and obtain comprehensive information advice regarding preventive and curative medicine, after care and good health.
10.THE RIGHT TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT
Every individual shall have the right to an environment that is conducive to good health. This includes and extends to the health professionals office, health centre, hospital room and other facilities.
11.PATIENTS’ AND FAMILIES’ RESPONSIBILITIES/OBLIGATIONS
Whilst you have the right to be heard, you also have an obligation to listen to medical instruction concerning your treatment.
The patient and family shall provide accurate and complete information to assist the health professional to plan for your stay and treatment adequately.
To avoid inconvenience to yourself and others, follow the referral chain and ensure you have the necessary documents to effect your access into hospital.
Keep your hospital notes safe and clean, you will need them during your next visit or contact with the health services.
The patient and family shall ensure that the patient understands the purpose and cost of any proposed investigations or treatment before deciding to accept it.
The patient shall insist upon explanations until he or she is adequately informed and shall consult with all relevant persons before reaching a decision.
The patient and family shall accept the consequences of the patient’s own informed decisions.
The patient and family shall establish a good relationship with the health care provider and follow treatment, determined by the health professional primarily responsible for the patient’s care.
The patient and family shall inform the health professional if the patient is currently consulting with or under the care of another health professional including traditional medical practitioners in connection with the same complaint or any other complaint.
The patient and family shall keep appointments and shall inform the health professional if unable to keep an appointment.
Every individual has a responsibility to maintain his or her own health and that of society by refraining from indulging in:
*Consumption of unhealthy food
*Substance abuse, such as alcohol and drugs.
*Lifestyles that have an adverse impact on health, such as sexual promiscuity, reckless activities and physical inactivity.
Every individual has a responsibility to accept all preventive measures sanctioned by law.
The patient and family must be aware of the limits of health care providers.
Take your medicines exactly as instructed and complete any course of treatment.
Take interest in your own condition and read more information to get the best our of health promotions.
Do not share prescribed medicines.
The patient shall conduct himself or herself so as not to interfere with the well being or rights of others patients or providers of health care.
The Interplay: HPAZ and the Patients Charter
HPA’s mandate directly supports the implementation and enforcement of the Patients Charter. By regulating health institutions and setting standards, HPA contributes to creating an environment where patient rights are respected and upheld. HPA’s disciplinary powers provide a mechanism for addressing violations of the Patients Charter, ensuring accountability and protecting patients from harm.
HPA’s continued focus on strengthening its regulatory framework, promoting ethical practice, and empowering patients through awareness campaigns is be essential for ensuring quality healthcare for all Zimbabweans.
