All Rwandans, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, cultural belief, or disability are equally entitled to receive health services to promote and maintain good health. Whether the services are being offered through the public, private or NGO sector, every Rwandan has certain rights which cannot be taken away.

1. Right to care

You have right:

• To receive care when you need it;
• To the best quality care available, including preventive, curative, promotive, and rehabilitative care;
• To a full continuum of care including referral when needed.

2. Right to privacy and confidentiality

You have right:

• To be consulted in a private space free from being seen or overheard by others;
• For all information about your medical condition to be kept confidential within the limits of the law;
• To have your medical records read only by individuals involved directly in your care, by individuals monitoring quality or by individuals authorized by law or regulation.

3. Right to information

You have right:

• To know who is treating you and what their qualifications are;
• To information on your condition, the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, risks and alternatives;
• To know the names of any drugs prescribed their actions and side-effects.

4. Right to choice

You have right:

• To participate in decision-making about your care, treatment, and medication and provide informed consent to care;
• To refuse any care, treatment, and medication and to be informed about the consequences of doing so;
• To a second opinion;
• To choose whether to take part in research programs.

5. Right to respect

You have right:

• To be treated with respect and for your personal views, religious and cultural beliefs to be respected by all health care workers;
• To be free of discrimination, harassment or any risk to your personal safety;
• To receive care in a language you can understand.

6. Right to complaints

You have right:

• To complain about any aspect of your care and treatment without fear of recrimination;
• To receive prompt action on your complaints and a report back on action taken.

7. Right to choices

You have right:

• To participate in decision-making about your care, treatment, and medication and provide informed consent to care;
• To a second opinion;
• To choose whether to take part in research programs;
• To choose how to be addressed during your stay in the hospital (name or title you prefer);
• To use and keep your own personal belongings and valuables safely;
• To choose your own clothing and self-care routines;
• To make your choice on activities, interest, privacy during your stay in the hospital;
• To decide if you want visitors or not while you are here. The hospital may need to limit visitors to better for you and other patients;
• If necessary to designate those persons who can visit you during your stay.

8. Right to respect and dignity

You have right:

• To be treated with respect and for your personal views, religious and cultural beliefs to be respected by all health care workers;
• To receive care in a language you can understand.

9. Right to complaints

You have right:

• To complain about any aspect of your care and treatment without fear of recrimination;
• To receive prompt action on your complaints and a report back on action taken.

10. Right to refuse treatment

You have right:

• To refuse any care, treatment, and medication and to be informed about the consequences of doing so.

11. Right to pain management

You have right to:

• To have pain assessed and managed appropriately.

12. Right to security and safety

You have right to:

• Ask questions if you are concerned about your health or safety;
• Be informed about which medications you are taking and why you are taking them;
• To be free of discrimination, all forms of abuse or harassment or any risk to your personal safety.