Patients Bill of Rights to be introduced

Kolkata, Jan 4: In a bid to improve the health care facility in this metro, the Management of Ruby General Hospital (RGH) here has decided to introduce the Patient's Bill of Rights, first of its kind in the country, in its hospital here, which may trigger a debate in India.

RGH's Managing Director and founder Chairman Dr Kamal Dutta, a leading consultant gynaecologist in the US, yesterday announced the introduction of the Patient's Bill Rights in his hospital, situated at E M Bypass.

''I am ready to face any legal action as I am doing good for the patients by introducing the PBR ,'' he claimed.

He said PBR's introduction will bring a significant change in the health care facilities in India adding it was neccessary to provide the patients with the rights, which would ensure a relevant, current and understandable informations about their treatment.

Besides, Dr Dutta was also planning to set up a specialised trauma care unit as the hospital located at the highest accident prone area of the city.

"The patients have the right to know the immediate and long term implications of treatment choices. This can only be possible if the right is introduced", he said.

Despite all these Dr Dutta, who was earlier in the news for throwing a lavish party in the hospital premises denied it as baseless, had again invited legal complications as the patients bill of rights had not been passed by the Indian Constitution.

He told reporters that they have also planned to increase the capacity of the hospital to about 500 beds by 2008, with an expenditure of Rs eight crore.

UNI