With an ever increasing health gap between and within countries, Patients Rights are a growing concern for European citizens. Active Citizenship Network (ACN), together with the collaboration of the Malta Health Network (MHN) and other European citizens' organizations, established a European Charter of Patients Rights (2002) which includes 14 patients' rights based on the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and were included in the EU Council Conclusions on Common Values and Principles of the European Health Care system.

The reinforcement of these rights will become effective only with the cooperation and commitment of all stakeholders.

We as MHN feel that it is essential to increase awareness regarding the importance of patients rights and everyone's responsibilities in guaranteeing their respect. Celebrating a European Patients' Rights Day every year on the same date, 18 April, in all EU Member States would greatly contribute towards this goal.

We at MHN call on the European Parliament to initiate procedures to declare the 18th of April as the official European Patients' Rights Day in addition to adopting the European Charter of Patients' Rights in the future Community framework in order to ensure their exercise in practice across borders and in each country.

Download Letter to MEPs re Patients rights day 2010