Donors: USAID and ISC
Duration: October 2012 – February 2013
Law Scanner is implementing the project “Patient rights – State responsibility” funded by USAID and ISC. The project will be implemented from October 2012 – February 2013. The main goal of the project is advocacy on the adoption of the Law on the Protection of Patients’ Rights.
Serbia is the only country in the region that has not adopted the Law on the Protection of Patients’ Rights yet. A lack of information and often violations of patients’ rights are result of existing insufficient and inadequate legislation. The mechanism stipulated in Article 39 (The Health Care Act) provides insufficient protection, without clear definition of the procedure and jurisdiction of Protector of patient’s rights. In addition, Serbia has not still ratified the European Charter of Patients’ Rights (Rome Charter).
In order to provide quality health care and restore public trust in the health system, it is necessary to adopt a special law that shall systematically and comprehensively regulate the patients’ rights and will enable their protection, through strong mechanisms, in compliance with the standards established by the European Charter.