Yes. As per the NABH patient charter, the information to be provided to patients are meant to be and in a language that the patient prefers and in a way which is effortless to understand. It further states:

• “Patients and/ or their family members have the right to receive complete information on the medical problem, prescription, treatment & procedure details.
• A documented procedure for obtaining patient’s and / or their family’s informed consent exists to enable them to make an informed decision about their care. This process is an important patient right and needs to be practiced with utmost diligence and transparency.
• Patients have to be educated on risks, benefits, expected treatment outcomes and possible complications to enable them to make informed decisions, and involve them in the care planning and delivery process.
• Patients have the right to request information on the names, dosages and adverse effects of the medication that they are treated with.
• Patients or their authorized individuals have the right to request access and receive a copy of their clinical records.
• Patients have the right to complete information on the expected cost of treatment. The information should be presented as an itemised structure of the various expenses and charges.
• Patients have the right to information on hospital rules and regulations.
• Information on organ donation.”

In this regard, the WMA 2005 Declaration of Lisbon on the Rights of the Patient states as follows: 

“7. Right to information

1. The patient has the right to receive information about himself/herself recorded in any of his/her medical records, and to be fully informed about his/her health status including the medical facts about his/her condition. However, confidential information in the patients records about a third party should not be given to the patient without the consent of that third party.
2. Exceptionally, information may be withheld from the patient when there is good reason to believe that this information would create a serious hazard to his/her life or health.
3. Information should be given in a way appropriate to the patients culture and in such a way that the patient can understand.
4. The patient has the right not to be informed on his/her explicit request, unless required for the protection of another persons life.
5. The patient has the right to choose who, if anyone, should be informed on his/her behalf.”