Why Knowing Your Rights at the Clinic Matters
A clinic or hospital is meant to be a place of safety that we fully trust and expect healing from.
That, however, is not always the case. For many people around the world, walking into a medical facility (hospital, pharmacy or private practice) can feel intimidating and in some cases even unsafe. This is especially true if you’re young, female, queer or asking about something as stigmatized as sexual health.
Which is why every single human being needs to understand their rights at a medical facility.
- You have the right to ask questions without being judged. Questions whose answers you deserve.
- You have the right to understand what’s being done to your body and to give or withhold consent.
- You have the right to privacy, dignity and without a doubt, honest information before making any health decision.
Yet, too many a time, patients are expected to quietly comply.
This article is for anyone who’s ever walked into a clinic and walked out feeling unheard. Who left with more questions than answers and sometimes with feelings of shame. It’s a reminder that your body is yours, you deserve answers and that your rights don’t stop at the reception desk.
Right to Informed Consent
We are always being reminded why consent is a necessity and not a formality. But do you know that consent goes beyond just sex and that it’s a fundamental human right? That before any medical procedure or prescription is given, your healthcare provider must explain: What they plan to do, Why it’s necessary, What the risks are and most importantly, what your other options might be.
Only after explaining to you this can they ask for your agreement.
Informed consent means that you understand what’s happening and that you freely choose to say yes. Underline the term freely, because a forced, assumed or rushed yes is not considered as consent. Saying nothing is also not consent. And being afraid to speak up doesn’t mean you agree.
This applies to everything from vaccinations to blood draws to more sensitive procedures like pelvic exams, STI testing and surgery. The most common examination that everyone knew required consent was surgery. Until recently, not much is known about the topic. Recently, for the first time in kenya (i might be wrong) parents were asked to consent to their kids being vaccinated. Kids came back with cards that needed to be signed. Until then it has always been your child coming home with news of an oral vaccine being administered at school or even in church without your knowledge.
In some countries and under certain health regulations, invasive or intimate examinations legally require a second medical professional to be present. Preferably, a chaperone of the same gender as the patient. This law was put in place not just for your comfort but to safeguard against abuse, coercion and misconduct. If you’re not offered this option or if you’re denied one when you ask, then that’s a red flag. (The horror stories that could come from patients could fill up the biggest libraries in the world – and still need more space.)
Right to Privacy and Confidentiality
What comes to mind when you think of privacy? Contrary to what you might think, privacy is more than just closing a door. It’s about creating a safe space where your dignity is protected and your information is treated with care. And it is more than just physical – it is emotional too.
That means:
- You should not be examined in front of other patients.
- You should never be asked about personal matters like your sex life, menstrual cycle or pregnancy status in public spaces like waiting rooms or crowded corridors. I remember one time I was admitted at the hospital and while at the ward, the doctor came straight to my bed with HIV kits and dressed in a labcoat screaming the words. She then went ahead and requested to take my blood for testing. Ofcourse, all eyes were on me so how could I say no? I feel like everyone held their breath with me, waiting, watching but pretending not to. Thankfully, the results came back negative … .but I can’t help but wonder, what if the results had been different?
- Your medical records, test results and consultation notes must be kept confidential.
What you share with a medical practitioner should stay between you and them. Unless you give permission, they cannot share your health information with your partner, parent, employer, teacher, or anyone else for that matter, even if you’re a minor in some jurisdictions.
Unfortunately, breaches of privacy are common. Some people have been outed for being pregnant, HIV-positive, queer or sexually active simply because someone behind a counter felt entitled to share what wasn’t theirs to tell. Apart from being unprofessional, this is a violation of your human rights.
If you feel your privacy was ignored or violated, you have the right to file a complaint, request a different provider or leave the facility altogether.
Right to Refuse Treatment
Just because a doctor recommends something doesn’t mean you have to agree. How many knew of this? Because if we are being honest, it is one of the most overlooked rights in healthcare – the right to refuse treatment.
It could be a medication you’re uncomfortable with or a test you weren’t prepared for. It could also be a procedure you haven’t had time to consider. Whatever it is, you have the right to say no at any point – a refusal that should never be met with threats or punishment.
Some of the things you might hear after refusing treatment (especially for reproductive or sexual health) include but are not limited to;
- “If you don’t do this now, you’ll regret it.”
- “You’re wasting our time.”
- “This is standard procedure so whether you like it or not it has to be carried out.”
Remember, informed refusal is just as valid as informed consent. You can ask for more time or even a second opinion. Alternatively, if there is no option for getting other alternatives, you can walk away.
Don’t forget that the same applies even in emergencies. Just because doctors are trained to act quickly to save lives does not mean that your rights do not matter under such circumstances. If you’re conscious and informed, your no still stands even if it confuses or frustrates your provider.
Right to Respect and Non-Judgment
Healthcare is not a favour. It’s a service. A service that every person who walks into a clinic regardless of age, gender, appearance or reason for being there deserves.
Everyone deserves to be treated with respect.
For that reason alone, you should never be:
- Shamed for asking about contraception or STI testing.
- Talked down to because of your income, education or accent.
- Laughed at, mocked or dismissed when explaining your symptoms.
- Assumed to be promiscuous, irresponsible or immoral for seeking reproductive care.
Unfortunately, many people, especially women, adolescents, LGBTQ+ individuals and people living with HIV have stories of being humiliated or outright rejected by the very people meant to care for them.
This, at the very least, is a violation of your right to non-discriminatory, respectful care.
What to Do If Your Rights Are Violated
Sometimes, even when you know your rights, you’re still treated unfairly. Case in point when that doctor approached me in that ward.
Maybe you were denied services. Or a medical practitioner touched you without consent. It could be that you were shamed for asking questions or had your private information shared without permission. Do not, by any means, think that it is beyond you, or feel powerless.
If something doesn’t feel right, you can:
- Speak up on the spot: If you feel safe, calmly tell the healthcare worker that you are uncomfortable and ask them to stop or explain.
- Request a different provider: You’re allowed to ask for someone else, especially in sensitive situations.
- Report the incident: Most health facilities have a way to lodge a formal complaint. This is especially important as it can trigger an investigation and help protect others.
- Reach out to advocacy groups: Reproductive health organizations and legal aid centres often support people in reporting mistreatment, especially in marginalized communities.
- Document your experience: Note the date, time, location, names (if known), and what was said or done. This will come in handy when or if you decide to take further action.
Conclusion
There is more to sexual and reproductive healthcare than just prescriptions or procedures. Check ups are a part of it too, but this is about agency. Every person has the right to access information and make decisions about their own body. What is more, everyone has a right to receive care without fear, shame or discrimination.
Whatever it is that is taking you to the hospital, do not forget to carry your rights with you past the clinic door.
Ask…..and say no. Demand respect and change providers where necessary.
