The Patients’ Rights Charter

The Patients’ Rights Charter – 2007

For many decades the vast majority of the South African population has experienced either a denial or
violation of fundamental human rights, including rights to health care services. To ensure the
realisation of the right of access to health care services as guaranteed in the Constitution of the
Republic of South Africa (Act No 108 of 1996), the Department of Health is committed to upholding,
promoting and protecting this right and therefore proclaims this PATIENTS’ RIGHTS CHARTER as a
common standard for achieving the realisation of this right.

This Charter is subject to the provisions of any law operating within the Republic of South Africa and to
the financial means of the country.