The ombudsman approach to the protection of reproductive rights in Hungary

After receiving successful reports on an experimental program of patients' rights advocacy in seven participating hospitals, Hungary has recently given legal status and authority to the office of health care ombudsman. Dr. Kismodi reflects on her experience as a health care ombudsman in two Hungarian hospitals, gives examples of situations in which ombudsmen have been able to make an affirmative difference on behalf of patients seeking reproductive health care, and encourages other countries in circumstances similar to those now facing Hungary to consider whether the ombudsman model might be helpful to them in promoting reproductive health, and health care generally.