This was the question that Shalini Mahtani, chairman of Zubin Foundation, highlighted during a recent talk on health to members of the Domestic Workers Empowerment Program at Hong Kong University.
Mahtani is spearheading Health Advisor, a joint project between Zubin and Harvard Global Health Institute, which conducts a survey among patients about the quality of care they received from both public and private hospitals. The aim is to empower patients while acknowledging hospitals that put patients at the centre of their service.
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| Shalini Mahtani, chairman of Zubin Foundation (right), stresses a point during the Domestic Workers Empowerment Program forum at Hong Kong University. |
Hospitals are rated based on the number of patients who died under their care, how many acquired infections, and or how many had to return for re-admission.
Mahtani said her advocacy was the offshoot of her having lost a son at the age of 3 while in hospital.
She told her audience that patients have the right to know both the positive and negative aspects of a hospital, like whether it is clean, if the staff fully explain the medication that need to be taken, and are always available whenever help is needed.
Patients who undergo a procedure should be told everything that should be known about their ailment, as well as the cost of the treatment. Doctors should also provide them with a contact number in case of an emergency.
Mahtani’s talk was also attended by Vice Consul Timmy Quintin and DWEP advisor Dr. Mike Manio. – Ellen Almacin
