Your duties as a patient
Health Act, 2017 · sources read 5 Oct 2026
Under the Health Act, a patient must follow the facility's rules and the treatment and advice given, tell health workers the truth about their health, cooperate with them and treat them with dignity and respect. If you refuse the recommended treatment, you can be asked to sign a discharge or release form.
- Where
- At the health facility. Complaints: the facility head first, then KHPOA, KWFT Building, 11th Floor, Nairobi (info@khpoa.go.ke, +254 742 157 424)
Steps
- Give the health worker accurate information about your health, and ask them to explain your health status. They have a duty to tell you in a way you understand.
- If you decide not to take the recommended treatment, you may be asked to sign a discharge certificate or release of liability. Read it before you sign.
- If you feel you were treated badly, you have a right to complain. Complain to the head of the facility first; if it is not resolved, the Kenya Health Professions Oversight Authority (KHPOA) must act.
Watch out
- A health worker may refuse to treat a patient who is physically or verbally abusive or sexually harasses them, except in an emergency when no other health worker is available.
- These duties apply only when the patient is not visibly incapacitated.
Who this covers
- Anyone using the health system, at public or private facilities, unless they are visibly unable to (for example unconscious or confused)
Official sources (2)
- Health Act (Cap. 241, No. 21 of 2017), version of 10 July 2026 new.kenyalaw.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- KHPOA: Contact us khpoa.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026