The government has warned psychiatrists at local clinics that they face prosecution if found using untested drugs or conducting medical trials on patients without their consent.

According to a source quoted in local media recently, consent is needed from patients or their guardians for any kind of psychiatric treatment. This protection forms part of regulations issued recently on the rights of mental patients.

Local health supervisory councils are empowered to oversee the monitoring and implementation of these regulations, the source was quoted as saying. These councils can act on behalf of patients if they are incapable of doing so or have no guardians.

The regulations protect the rights of patients to get health care in a safe and clean environment, and to be active participants in decision-making on their treatment plans.

The source said that health providers must inform patients of their diagnosis, expected risks and side effects, and available therapeutic alternatives before a treatment journey begins. Patients and their guardians must also be empowered to decide whether treatment should be provided by a health facility.

According to the source, the regulations ensure psychiatric patients are protected against financial, professional, physical and sexual abuse. Patients should not be isolated without the consent of their doctors. If isolation is necessary, this should be done in a humane manner.

Patients should also have "freedom of movement inside and outside a treatment facility, in accordance with the requirements of treatment and safety measures," the source said.

The regulations also ensure the confidentiality of patients' information, which can only be disclosed based on a court order, or on the request of the local supervisory council. Patients or their guardians have the right to file a complaint against a facility or persons if such information is disclosed without their consent.

The source said that psychiatric patients have the right to assign a lawyer to defend their rights inside and outside treatment facilities. This includes informing them or their guardians in clear language if there is a need to admit them to treatment facilities. Patients also have the right to know processes involved in discharging them from clinics.