Patient Rights & Responsibilities in UAE

Respect, Dignity & Non-Discrimination

Patients have the right to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of age, gender, religion, or culture.

Patients have the right to receive healthcare services and treatment that are appropriate, competent, and delivered without unnecessary delay. 

Patients also have the right to receive essential physical, moral, and behavioral support from healthcare practitioners and caregivers.

Safety

Patients have the right to receive treatment in licensed healthcare facilities that comply with the healthcare practices established by the State of Qatar.

Patients have the right to receive care in a healthy, safe, and secure environment that maintains hygiene, infection prevention measures, and smoke-free policies in accordance with Qatar laws.

Information & Understanding

Patients have the right, upon request, to know the identity of their healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and other professionals directly involved in their care.

Patients have the right to receive concise, complete, and easily understood information about their diagnosis, treatment options, possible side effects, complications, and any undesirable effects. Interpreter support may be provided when needed. If it is medically inadvisable to provide certain information directly to the patient, it may be given to the patient’s guardian, parents (in the case of minors), or legally authorized representative.

Patients have the right to request information about the healthcare facility’s service charges, payment methods, and the immediate or long-term financial implications associated with their treatment options.

Patients also have the right to request copies of their medical reports, including X-rays, diagnostic reports, and hospital discharge summaries, in accordance with the facility’s internal policies. If it is medically inadvisable to provide such information directly to the patient, it may be provided to the patient’s guardian, parents (in the case of minors), or legally authorized representative.

Patients have the right to receive ethical healthcare that is free from inappropriate behavior, abuse, or negligence.

Patients also have the right to be referred or transferred to another healthcare facility when medically required, or upon their request when medically permissible.

Access to Care

Patients have the right to receive emergency care promptly and to be referred to a specialist or consultant when clinically required.

Medical Records

Patients have the right to access their medical records. Requests will be handled according to FRH policy, and the treating doctor will be informed when such requests are made.

Clinical and pharmaceutical records are kept updated and protected.

Decision-Making & Consent

Patients have the right to participate in decisions about their care, including the right to accept or refuse treatment and to seek a second opinion or transfer care.

Informed consent is obtained before treatments or procedures. Patients receive clear explanations of risks, benefits, and alternatives.

If a patient is unconscious or mentally incapable, consent may be obtained from a legally authorised representative. In life-threatening emergencies, necessary treatment may be given in the patient’s best interest.

Privacy & Confidentiality

Patients have the legal right to privacy during examinations and treatment and to know who is present and why.

Patients may refuse to speak with or see anyone not directly involved in their care.

Interviews and examinations are conducted in designated areas to maintain audiovisual privacy. Patients may request a same-gender individual where appropriate.

All discussions and consultations are conducted discreetly. Information shared with family members or legally authorised persons is handled privately and confidentially.

Individuals not involved in direct care will not be present without permission of the patient.

Medical records are protected from loss or misuse and accessed only by authorised personnel involved in care or quality monitoring.

Medication & Pharmaceutical Care

Patients have the right to choose their pharmacy provider and receive understandable information about medications, side effects, and drug interactions.

Drug therapy is monitored for safety and effectiveness, with efforts made to detect allergies or adverse reactions.

Language Support

Arabic and English interpreter services are available, and other language support is provided where translation resources allow.

Complaints & Safety

Patients have the right to submit complaints, which will be acknowledged, investigated, and responded to in writing according to policy.

Patients have the right to protection from physical harm and to appropriate protection if they are children, elderly, disabled, or vulnerable.

Patients are entitled to respectful and compassionate end-of-life care.

Patients are expected to: 

• Provide accurate and complete information about medical complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and any history of allergies or allergic reactions, as well as other relevant health details 
• Provide accurate personal and identification information 
• Follow agreed treatment plans and medical advice 
• Ask questions if any instructions or information are unclear 
• Take medications as prescribed 
• Keep appointments for doctor visits and investigations, and inform FRH in advance if unable to attend

• Treat healthcare staff with courtesy and respect
• Refrain from abusive language or inappropriate behavior
• Present valid insurance or medical cards when required
• Follow FRH rules and policies
• Show consideration for the needs of other patients
• Use emergency and on-call services appropriately
• Settle bills not covered by insurance in a timely manner
• Accept responsibility if they choose not to follow medical advice or treatment plans