World Patient Safety Day 2023: Over 50% Harm To Patients Preventable – WHO
Princess-Ekwi Ajide Abuja
World Health Organisation, WHO, says more than 50% of the harm that patients experience is preventable if concerted efforts and requisite investment are put in place.
The WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Mulombo, disclosed this during the ministerial press briefing in commemoration of the World Patient Safety Day 2023 tagged “Engaging patients for patient safety” with the slogan, “Elevate the voice of patients” in Abuja.
World Patient Safety Day is celebrated every year on 17 September to raise awareness on the importance of people-cantered care and preventing patients harm.
Dr. Mulombo, said, even though the voices of patients and families are reflected in activities through various channels, including patient representation on leadership structures and implementation of client feedback systems, more activities need to be done to advocate for the importance of patient and family engagement, patient empowerment, and networks of patient advocates.
The country representative, applauded Nigeria for having commenced the process of developing a National Quality Policies and Strategies (NQPS) and urged government to sustain efforts to develop the NQPRS[GDS1]
Also, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Daju Kachollom, said Nigeria shares the commitment of enhancing the quality of health care delivery, with many nations worldwide and has just developed the first ever National Policy and Implementation Strategy on Patient Safety and care quality and has been sent for stakeholders review last week.
Kachollom, opined that patients can provide invaluable contributions when they actively participate in their healthcare decisions as research has shown that there is positive correlation between patient active participation in their care, and overall health outcomes.
The Permanent Secretary reiterated Federal government’s commitment to providing safer and higher-quality health services, for all citizens in Nigeria irrespective of status, class, age or gender, saying that the effort will not only strengthen the healthcare system but also build the trust that citizens place in it.
