Global Problem of Hospital Detention Practices

Although an official definition by the World Health Organization (WHO) or any other authority is currently lacking, hospital detention practices (HDP) can be described as: “refusing release of either living patients after medical discharge is clinically indicated or refusing release of bodies of deceased patients if families are unable to pay their hospital bills.” Reports of HDP are very scarce and lack consistent terminology. Consequently, the problem’s scale is unknown. This study aimed to find evidence of HDP worldwide, explore characteristics of HDP reports, and compare countries with or without reports. PubMed and Google were examined for relevant English, Spanish, and French publications up to January ۲۰۱۹. Of ۱۹۵ countries, HDP reports were found in ۴۶ countries (۲۴%) in Africa, Asia, South-America, Europe, and North-America. Most reports were published by journalists in newspapers. In most countries reports concern living adults and children who are imprisoned in public hospitals. A majority (۵۲%) of reports were of individuals detained for at least a month. Almost all countries, with or without HDP reports, have signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Countries with reported HDP have larger population size (P < .۰۰۱), worse Corruption Perception Index score (P = .۰۲۵), higher out-of-pocket expenditure (P = .۰۲۴), lower Universal Health Coverage Index score (P = .۰۱۵), and worse Press Freedom Index score (P = .۰۱۲). We conclude that HDP are more widespread than currently acknowledged. Urgent intervention by stakeholders is required to stop HDP.

Keywords:

Hospital Detention Practices , Corruption , Universal Health Coverage