Health Empowerment and Health Rights Unit Definition of Health Empowerment Health empowerment refers to providing individuals with accurate health information and decision-making skills to make informed health choices. It is rooted in: Islamic principles (Quranic concept of "Tamkeen" - enabling power) Human rights frameworks Medical ethics Quranic Foundations The concept appears in multiple Quranic verses, including: "And thus We established Joseph in the land to settle therein wherever he willed. We bestow Our mercy upon whom We will, and We do not allow the reward of the doers of good to be lost." (Yusuf 12:56) Definition of Health Rights These are moral and legal entitlements of patients during medical care, including: Right to informed consent Right to refuse treatment (in specific cases) Right to privacy and dignity Right to quality healthcare (per WHO standards) Islamic Perspective on Health Rights Islamic jurisprudence emphasizes: ✔ Patient autonomy (competent adults may sign medical consents) ✔ Ethical treatment protocols ✔ Special protections for vulnerable groups Rationale for Establishing the Unit Preventable harm: Documented cases of mortality due to health rights violations Knowledge gaps: 2012 study: 37% of breast surgery consents improperly signed by guardians 2013 study: Medical students showed 68% deficiency in cancer patient rights knowledge 2017 KAU study: 72% unaware of women's autonomous consent rights Systemic needs: Bridge between Islamic ethics and modern medical practice Standardize rights awareness across healthcare sectors Target Groups Stakeholder Training Focus Clinicians Consent protocols, ethical decision-making Nurses/Midwives Patient advocacy, rights enforcement Administrators Admission/discharge policies Patients/Families Awareness of entitlements Students Curriculum integration 10 Key Health Rights Categories Fetal Rights in Islam Children's Health Rights Adolescent Rights Reproductive Health Rights Cancer Patient Rights Disability Rights Renal Failure Patient Rights HIV/AIDS Patient Rights Elderly Care Rights Mental Health Rights Implementation Strategy Educational Programs Mandatory health rights modules in medical curriculum CME courses for practitioners Community workshops in mosques/health centers Policy Advocacy Alignment with Saudi MOH regulations Collaboration with Islamic medical ethics boards Research Initiatives Annual rights awareness audits Development of Arabic-language patient guides 🔹 Health Empowerment Unit 🔹 College of Medicine - University of Fallujah *(Fatwa References: Senior Scholars Council Decision 119, 26/5/1404H)*