Bahamas Patient Advocacy

Advice on Patients Rights and Medical Care

This website aims to inform patients of their rights, and urge them to be alert and pro-active in their health care. We welcome constructive comments alerting readers to medical issues in the Bahamas or elsewhere.

However, we cannot accept comments that would raise issues of libel against any individual. The only defense to libel is to prove the truth of the comment made. This could result in a court action, and expert witnesses would have to attend to give evidence as to the truth of the comment.

The Healthcare Legal Environment in The Bahamas

by Leandra Esfakis

Does the Bahamian patient have a bill of rights? The answer is 'yes', and, it comes in two forms:

1. Rights established by the common law, that give recourse to the courts.
2. Rights established by statute, and administered by a government or a professional board.

The more pertinent question is: how accessible, and how effective are these rights? Does pursing a remedy in the current legal environment result in an improved delivery of health care services? And if not, what can be done to improve performance and results?

Bahamian Doctors Using Cytotec to Induce Labour

by a contributor

What is supposed to be the happiest day of a woman's life can turn into a catastrophe and a nightmare!

The drug Cytotec is used in the Bahamas to induce labour. This drug is responsible for many fetal and maternal deaths, as well as fluid embolisms, uterine ruptures, placenta abruptions, uterine hyper stimulation and more.

This drug has caused numerous medical complications, something you would never know unless you researched it. Women would never know that Cytotec, a little white pill that can be taken orally or inserted into the vagina to soften the cervix, has a specific warning against this sort of use on its label. It warns that pregnant women should not use this drug to induce labour.

So why are doctors using this drug on pregnant women in the Bahamas?

Quick Tips—When Getting Medical Tests

The best way to stay healthy is to be an active member of your own health care team. it is important to find and use information and play a part in all of the decisions made about your care.

The following information will help you when making decisions about medical tests:

Doctors order tests to help diagnose medical problems. Perhaps you do not know why you need a particular test or you don't understand how it will help you. Here are some questions to ask: