World Patient Safety Day today

September 17 is being observed as World Patient Safety Day, focusing on the need for safe healthcare for all.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about one in 10 patients is harmed while receiving medical care. More than 3 million people die every year because of unsafe healthcare, and more than half of these cases could be prevented.

This year’s theme is “Safe Care for Noncommunicable Diseases”, with the slogan “Safe Care for Every Life.” The focus is on safe treatment for people with heart disease, cancer, diabetes and long-term breathing problems.

People with these diseases often need treatment, tests and medicines for many years. This can increase the risk of wrong diagnosis, medicine mistakes, infections and poor communication among healthcare workers.

Patient safety problems can happen in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare centres. Common risks include medicine errors, wrong diagnosis, unsafe surgery, infections, patient identification mistakes and unsafe blood transfusions.

WHO says low- and middle-income countries face greater risks from unsafe healthcare. Better medicine management, correct diagnosis, infection control and better communication can help reduce these problems.