Rights of Consumers in Public Health

Tobacco

• Second hand smoking

• Injuring non smokers

– Smoking in the public places injuring others– Smoking in the House injuring spouse and

children

Tobacco and consumer rights

• Contents of tobacco products not known to public

• Permissible level of nicotine not displayed

• Dangers of usage not known to the consumer

Misleading public

• Cool

• Light

• Mild

• Made for each other

It is no way related to the words they use

Misleading advertisements

• Animated characteristics

• Other products – wills lifestyle

• Sponsoring events

Surrogate advertisements

• Smoking prohibited in all public places

• Prohibition of sale to/by minor’s

• Prohibited around educational institutions

• Fine up to Rs200

Legal Position

Prevention of Food Adulteration

• Municipal Health Officer

• Municipal Commissioner

• PHC Medical Officer

Local Health Authority

• Food Inspectors

• Consumer

• Voluntary organizations

Who can lift samples ?

• Milk - addition of starch, water• Cereals - mud, grits and

soapstone bits• Dals - coal tar dyes• Coffee powder - date husk, tamarind

husk• Ice cream - starch, non- permitted

colours

Common Adulterants

• Butter - starch, animal fat• Edible oils - mineral oils,

argemone oil

• Fresh green peas - green dye• Tea - saw dust, tamarind

powder• Chilli powder – saw dust, brick powder

Common Adulterants

Confidentiality in Patient Care

• Identity and diagnoses are confidential matters and rights

• Names should not be displayed in the board anywhere in the hospital

Confidentiality in Patient Care

Photography of Patients

• Even for clinical teaching purpose photos to be taken only with informed consent

• Photography of patients is prohibited

Photography

Informed Consent

• Informed consent is necessary for undertaking medical or surgical interventions Example : FW sterilization operations

Informed Consent

• Information provided should be comprehensive and understood by the client

• Consent taking process should be transparent• Interaction between the provider and the client

should be such that the client feels secure to exercise his / her will

Conditions for Informed Consent

• Women patients have right to ask for the presence of a lady nurse during physical examinations and procedures

Women Patients

• Sex of the child should not be asked : should not be revealed

Ultrasound Scan

• Environmental sanitation

• Vector control

• Drainages

• Public conveniences

Public Health

• Tamil Nadu Public Health Act• Prevention of Food Adulteration Act• Cigarettes and other tobacco products

( prohibition of advertisement and regulation of trade and commerce, production, supply and distribution) act 2003

• MTP act• PCPNDT act

Health Related Acts