Patient rights advocates call for legal protections on World Patient Rights Day

On the occasion of World Patient Rights Day on October 26, various organizations and officials in Cyprus and Turkey have called for stronger legal frameworks to protect patient rights. In Northern Cyprus, the Universal Patient Rights Association and the Cyprus Turkish Medical Association (KTTB) emphasized the need for a comprehensive Patient Rights Law that ensures equal, safe, and high-quality healthcare access. They highlighted the importance of the Nicosia Declaration, which addresses both patient dignity and the rights of healthcare workers.

In Turkey, discussions centered on the necessity of protecting patient privacy, particularly for women, and the importance of informed consent. While some institutions, such as Manisa Celal Bayar University, held awareness events to inform patients of their rights—including the right to choose doctors and access medical records—advocates stressed that patient rights should not rely on the goodwill of institutions but must be anchored in robust legislation and independent oversight.