Patient Rights: What You Should Know

Author: Nnenna Chiloli, MBBS, MPH

Medical Reviewer: Azuka Chinweokwu Ezeike, MBBS, FWACS, FMCOG, MSc (PH)

Highlights 

• Patient rights are fundamental entitlements of individuals in healthcare 
• Patients’ rights ensure dignity, respect, and fairness in healthcare delivery.
• Knowing your rights helps you actively participate in your care
• Key rights include informed consent, privacy, quality care, and emergency treatment
• Nigeria’s National Health Act 2014 and Patient Bill of Rights (2018) protect patients
• Enforcement mechanisms include regulatory bodies, FCCPC, and legal action
• Practical tips empower patients to ask questions, keep records, and speak up

Introduction: Why Patient Rights Matter

Imagine being a patient in a hospital, feeling sick and vulnerable, worried about your health, and needing help. In those circumstances, you’d expect more than just treatment; you’d expect healthcare staff to respect, inform, and protect you. This is what patient rights are all about.

Patients’ rights are basic protections that ensure every individual receives care with dignity, respect, and fairness [1]. These rights matter because they empower you to:

•  feel comfortable and actively participate in their own care.
• determine whether you can refuse a treatment you are uncomfortable with,
• receive emergency care regardless of your ability to pay, and
• ask questions without feeling intimidated.

In Nigeria, patient rights are particularly important. This is due to ongoing challenges in the healthcare system, including limited resources, infrastructure gaps, and sometimes tense relationships between care providers and patients [2].

 Knowing your rights is a great way to ensure you receive the care you deserve. It also gives you the confidence to speak up when you encounter a problem.  This article will help you understand what patient rights are, why they matter, and practical ways to protect your rights as a patient.

Universal Patient Rights You Should Know

Patients' rights are key aspects of quality care. International bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), through the patient safety rights charter, have developed standards and guidelines for all nations to use in safeguarding their patients. The following are widely recognised patients’ rights based on international best practices.

• The Right to Informed Consent

Informed consent is an important patient right. It is the right to be involved in decisions regarding one's own healthcare. It means that before a test or medical intervention, your doctor must inform you about the purpose and nature of that intervention, including any risks, benefits, and alternative procedures [3]. You then have the right to agree or refuse based on this information.

• The Right to Privacy and Confidentiality

The right to privacy is essential in a healthcare setting. It involves protecting your privacy through the physical setup of the office, such as closing doors or curtains during exams. It also includes safeguarding your information and keeping your medical records confidential. This means your doctor cannot reveal your diagnosis to others without your permission ( except in specific circumstances, such as reporting certain infectious diseases to public health authorities, legal requirements, court order, or harm to others), and your medical records must be stored securely.

• The Right to Quality Care

You are legally entitled to receive effective care and be attended to by competent care providers [4].

• The Right to Dignity and Respect

You are entitled to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of your age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, financial situation, or health condition[5]. This means that healthcare providers should:

• Speak to you politely and listen actively
• Never use unfair language or behaviour
• Consider your cultural and religious practices
• Recognise you as an autonomous individual
• Show you kindness and care

• The Right to Access Information

You are entitled to receive safe, accurate, and prompt information about your health needs, diagnosis, and treatment, in simple and clear terms. This empowers you to make decisions about your healthcare and shifts you from being a passive recipient of care to an active participant in your health journey.

• The Right to Emergency Care

Emergency care rights mean that hospitals and emergency facilities cannot turn you away or delay treatment because of costs in life-threatening emergencies. In a healthcare emergency, your health and safety come first. Once you are stable, you and the healthcare providers can discuss the costs of your care, but funding should never delay your access to emergency care.

• The Right to Refuse Treatment

You have the right to decline treatment just as you have the right to give informed consent. This includes refusing certain treatments, tests, or medications that may be suggested to you. This right acknowledges your autonomy over your own body and that you are the final decision-maker in your healthcare. However, it's important to understand that refusing treatment may have consequences for your health, and healthcare providers should clearly explain these consequences. There are limited exceptions to this right, such as when someone lacks the mental capacity to make decisions or in certain public health emergencies [4].

• Right to Safe Care and Protection from Harm

You have the right to protection and safe care. This entails that healthcare providers should follow safe processes and practices, and implement measures to identify, prevent, and manage risks and reduce preventable harm to patients.

• Right to Continuity of Care

You have the right to receive ongoing and comprehensive care throughout your medical journey.  This means that your healthcare provider should work closely with you to address your needs and coordinate with different healthcare facilities to ensure the best possible options.

• Right to Medical Products and their Safety and Rational Use

You have the right of access to the medical products you need, including medicines, vaccines, medical devices, diagnostics, blood and blood products, and medical technologies that meet recognised standards and regulations.

• Right to Safe and Secure Healthcare Facilities

You have the right to receive care in healthcare facilities that are safe and easily accessible to everyone.

• Right to Access to Medical Records

You have the right to access or obtain a copy of your records in a usable and understandable format.

• Right to Patient and Family Engagement

You have the right to self-determination, informed participation in decision-making, understanding and managing potential risks, and contributing to the planning and monitoring of your treatment.

• Right to Complain and Seek Redress

You have the right to share your experiences, file complaints, and report safety incidents occurring during your care.

Patients’ Rights in Nigeria

Nigeria has made significant progress in establishing patient rights through lawmaking and policy. Understanding these Nigeria-specific protections helps you navigate the local healthcare system with confidence.

• The National Health Act 2014

The National Health Act 2014 is the most significant achievement in Nigeria's healthcare legislation. This comprehensive legislation establishes a legal basis for healthcare delivery and clearly protects patients' rights. 

The key provisions of the National Health Act include the following:

• Right to Healthcare

This act mandates that the government provide essential healthcare services to all citizens

• Right to Emergency Treatment

This states that no person shall be denied emergency medical treatment for any reason, including inability to pay. 

• Right to Informed Consent

This stipulates that consent should be obtained before treatment can be administered, except in an emergency where the patient cannot give their consent.

• Confidentiality Protections

This protects the patient's confidentiality and records. A healthcare provider who breaches this can face legal consequences.

• Right to Information

Patients have the right to access their medical records and to be provided with adequate information about their health, available treatment, and prognosis [6].

•    The Patient Bill of Rights 

   In 2018, Nigeria issued the Patient Bill of Rights under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Health. It covers patients' rights in detail and provides a useful guide for both patients and healthcare providers.   The Bill of Rights covers eleven key areas, which are:

• Right to access information
• Right to confidentiality
• Right to quality care
• Right to emergency care
• Right to informed consent
• Right to dignity and respect
• Right to choose a healthcare provider
• Right to continuity of care
• Right to complain
• Right to participate in care decision
• Right to access medical records 

Legal Framework and Enforcement

Although Nigeria has established a strong legal framework for patient rights, enforcement remains a challenge. The following mechanisms exist to protect and enforce these rights.

• Professional regulatory bodiesrotection

Organisations such as the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria have the authority to investigate complaints against health care providers and impose disciplinary sanctions for violations of patients' rights.

• Consumer  Protection

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has authority over healthcare as a consumer service and can investigate complaints about violations of patient rights.

• Health Facility Complaints Mechanisms

Many facilities have established internal complaint procedures for patients to report concerns about their care. The patient's bill of rights encourages all healthcare facilities to establish accessible complaint mechanisms.

Practical Tips for Protecting Your Rights as a Patient

Knowing your rights is the first step, and the next is learning how to exercise them effectively. Here are practical, actionable plans for protecting your rights in healthcare settings.

• Ask questions

Never feel embarrassed about asking questions. If you don't understand something, keep asking until you do.

• Request clear explanations

Medical terms can be confusing. You have the right to receive information in plain language that you can understand. Request clarification if you don't understand.

• Understand informed consent 

Make sure you fully understand what you are consenting to before signing any consent form

• Keep your own records

Maintaining your own records gives you control over your medical information and helps ensure continuity of care

• Know when to speak up

Speaking up about concerns or problems is not being difficult; it's protecting your health and safety.  Situations where you should speak up include the following:

• If you feel your concerns are being dismissed
• If you are experiencing pain or discomfort
• If you notice a possible error
• If you feel disrespected or discriminated against
• If your privacy is being violated
• If you don’t understand the care plan

• Bring support

Having someone with you during healthcare visits can help you remember information, ask questions you might forget, and support you if needed. 

• Know your complaint options

If your rights are violated or you receive poor care, you have options for making complaints. Steps for making a complaint are as follows:

• Start with the healthcare facility

Most health facilities have a complaint procedure.

• Keep records of what happened, who you spoke to about the problem, what response you received, and any evidence like receipts, etc.
• Put your concerns in writing

Write details of what happened, how it affected you, what resolution you are seeking, and your contact information.

• Escalate when necessary

If the facility doesn't resolve your complaint, you can escalate to:

• Professional regulatory bodies such as the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), etc
• Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC)
• State Ministry of Health
• Legal action if appropriate
•   Seek support

Organisations like patient advocacy groups can guide you in making complaints and navigating the system.

• Prepare for appointments

Preparation helps you make the most of your healthcare visits and ensures your rights are respected. Before your appointment,

• Write down your symptoms, including when they started and what makes them better or worse.
• List all medications and supplements you take
• Prepare questions you want to ask
• Bring your personal health records
• Confirm your appointment details (time, location, what to bring, etc.)

Conclusion

Your rights as a patient are not privileges to be decided; they are basic protections that belong to you simply because you are human. When you know your rights, you can ask the questions that matter, make informed decisions about your care, and speak up when something doesn't feel right.

You are your own advocate. No one knows your body, your values, or your needs better than you do. By understanding your rights and using the practical strategies outlined in this article, you can ensure that you receive healthcare that respects your dignity and protects your privacy.

References

1. Olejarczyk JP, Young M. Patient Rights and Ethics. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 [cited 2026 Mar 23]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538279/
2. Aborode AT, Toluwalashe S, Oko CI, Folorunso TN, Ubechu SC, Badri R, et al. Relationship between patients and medical professionals: expectations towards healthcare services in Nigeria. Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2023 Nov 16;86(1):13–5. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10783226/
3. Shah P, Thornton I, Kopitnik NL, Hipskind JE. Informed Consent. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 [cited 2026 Mar 23]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430827/
4. Human rights [Internet]. [cited 2026 Mar 23]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-rights-and-health
5. Member Rights and Responsibilities - World Trade Center Health Program [Internet]. [cited 2026 Mar 23]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/wtc/rightsresponsibilities.html
6. National Health Act Nigeria [Internet]. [cited 2026 Mar 23]. Available from: https://www.medbox.org/document/national-health-act-nigeria

Disclaimer:
The information provided on this website is for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Published March 27, 2026