Health services show scant regard for patients’ rights

HEALTH officials are being obstructive and employing delaying tactics when it comes to improving respect for patients’ rights in the public healthcare system, Ombudswoman Iliana Nicolaou said yesterday.

Speaking to reporters after presenting her Annual Report for 2009 to President Demetris Christofias, which highlighted an increase in the number of serious complaints to her Office from patients, Nicolaou said that “in a number of complaints, the officials either raise difficulties and obstacles, and delay providing the necessary information, or they use drawn-out processes to render the matter meaningless”, it said.

30/07/2010