This Day in History: 2025-04-18

April 18 marks the European Day of Patients’ Rights, which encourages the raising of awareness of citizens, health professionals, representatives of political authorities and the general public, by pointing out the rights that each individual has when he falls ill. In Croatia, about 21,000 people get cancer every year, and about 13,000 die. According to EUROSTAT, Croatia ranks high fourth in cancer mortality in Europe. Global estimates suggest that cancer-related deaths will reach 11 million by 2030 and that most deaths will occur in developing countries, which are least prepared to deal with the problem. At the instigation of European civil society organizations, the European Patient Rights Charter was adopted in 2002. The Charter emphasizes in 14 points the basic rights of patients: the right to prevention, access to health services, information, consent, free choice, privacy and confidentiality, respect for time, adherence to quality standards, safety, innovation, avoidance of unnecessary suffering and pain, personalized care, complaint and fee. All these rights, which are based on the Charter of Fundamental Human Rights, are fundamental rights of patients.