Local: Don't force COVID-19 Patients to isolation centers, says NHRC



Warning against the use of force on patients, the National Human Rights Commission stated that no COVID-19 patient should be forced into isolation or treatment centers, adding that the use of force should be the last resort.

This is set out in a set of Standard Minimum Guidelines for the Protection of the Rights of COVID-19 Patients provided by the Commission by its Executive Secretary, Mr. Tony Ojukwu, in Abuja, on Wednesday.

Mr. Tony Ojukwu said the guidelines were released "following incessant violations of patient’s rights in treatment centers in some parts of the world, resulting in protests and some other cases”.

The 10-page document states that the "commission shall regularly monitor and report on the implementation of these Standard Minimum Guidelines."

On the need to ensure the dignity of the patients, the document states, 'No patient shall be forcibly taken to the centers or any other location or subjected to any kind of physical restraint during transport or for the purpose of testing or treatment.

“This method of removal or restriction is only a matter of last resort, and caution must be taken not to inflict physical harm to the patient.”

"In situations where patients are transported from their homes to the centre, such patients shall be accorded their rights to dignity and privacy and shall be treated with the utmost respect and compassion."

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“Apart from seeking to protect patients' rights to privacy, the Guidelines also aim to protect, among other things, patients' rights to appropriate and timely medical information; equality and non-discrimination; the integrity of the individual, mental well-being and staff of the treatment centers and access to 'safe and secure accommodation in the centers.”

The document also provides for the patient’s rights to access to nutritious food and clean drinking water, privacy and confidentiality, religious observances as well as access to communication and information.

The guidelines also seek special protection and guarantees for vulnerable groups, such as older persons, children and infants, persons with disabilities, and persons in Intensive Care Unit.

When engaging in clinical and drug trials, the Center shall ensure that any patient involved in a clinical trial gives written consent in the presence of an informed family member or legal representative.

In conclusion, the center must provide "detailed explanation of possible side effects and consequences of clinical or drug trials for patients" and that the health authorities and the Center must obtain written consent from the patients and their informed family member or legal representative prior to the extraction or donation of body tissue for experiments or further treatment of COVID-19.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Ojukwu, stated that the guidelines were issued in accordance with the Commission's mandate to protect and promote human rights in accordance with its Act of Establishment.

While commending governments and health authorities at the federal and state levels for the efforts already made to establish facilities in the centers and for other palliative measures.

He urged them to research and put in place processes to enforce the Basic Minimum Guidelines.