Patient Rights
The Government of Ajman believes that healthcare recipients and their families have the right to the best possible healthcare following applicable health laws and regulations.
The Right to Know
• The patient’s knowledge of his rights and understanding of them.
• The patient’s knowledge of his physician's identity (name and specialty).
• The patient’s awareness of his condition (diagnosis and treatment).
• Provision of an interpreter (when necessary) if language poses an obstacle to understanding their condition.
• A written consent must be signed by the patient before undergoing any surgery, endoscopy, anesthesia, hospital admission, or any other medical procedure requiring written approval, following the guidelines set by the Ministry of Health.
• The patient shall receive a summary of his condition, including the treatment plan and clear instructions that show how to take care of his health.
The Right to Choose
• The patient has the right to choose the medical team (as available) as well as to object to the physician after giving convincing reasons supporting the objection.
• The patient has the right to refuse treatment (if he wishes).
• The patient has the right to refuse to be examined or have his/her treatment followed-up by any person who is not directly responsible for the treatment. Those who are not directly involved in the patient's treatment should ask for prior permission from the patient himself so that they can attend during the discussion, examination and treatment.
• If the patient is asked to participate in any scientific research, he/she shall reserve the right to accept (in writing) or to reject at any time and for any reason, even after acceptance of participation, knowing that his refusal will not affect the quality of medical care obtained.
The Right to Obtain Emergency Health Care
- Access to emergency health care when and where needed without delay.
The right to decide on treatment
- The patient shall be involved in making decisions about treatment options.
The right to respect and Equality
- All patients are entitled to obtain equal medical care and to get respect for their beliefs and personal values from all hospital staff without discrimination (according to the regulations and legislations of the Ministry of Health).
The right to Privacy
• The patient has the right to privacy while in the hospital, during the conduct of all tests, procedures, and treatments, as well as the right to keep all their information confidential.
• The patient has the right to ensure their safety from any physical, psychological or verbal abuse or insults while receiving treatment.
• The patient has the right to be escorted by a family member or a guardian following the regulations and legislations of the Ministry of Health, under the condition of availability and following the patient’s health. However, some departments may not allow the same for medical considerations.
• The patient is entitled to request a medical report as well as the results of all tests from the medical records department (if he/she wishes) after settling all the fees for the hospital, following the regulations and legislations of the Ministry of Health.
The right to submit complaints and suggestions
- The patient has the right to submit complaints, suggestions, or observations regarding the provided health care either to the PR Office or through the complaints and suggestions boxes available at the hospital.
The right to be transferred to another hospital
- In case the patient’s condition requires a transfer to another hospital or treatment facility, a full explanation of the reasons will be provided and discussed, as well as all the obligations involved (financial and administrative, if any), in addition to other alternative options. The hospital administration shall arrange all procedures for obtaining the approval of the alternative hospital or treatment facility before the commencement of the transfer, following the regulations and legislations of the Ministry of Health.