Belize City, Belize, 16 September 2019 (PAHO/WHO) – During the 72nd World Health Assembly, 194 countries recognized patient safety as a global health priority, agreeing to observe September 17 as World Patient Safety Day each year. This year, the theme is “Patient Safety: a global health priority” with the slogan “Speak up for Patient Safety!”
World Patient Safety Day (WPSD) will give providers, seekers, and managers of health care services a yearly opportunity to come together and express global solidarity and commitment to make health care safer. Through the campaign, countries worldwide will encourage people to become more aware and engaged in their care. It will raise their awareness of the need to formulate patient safety policies, creating a work culture and leadership that prioritizes patient safety as a core attribute of quality of care in health service delivery.
134 million cases of patient harm due to unsafe care in hospitals in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are reported every year. While 1 in 10 patients are harmed while receiving hospital care in high-income countries, about 1 of every 4 hospitalizations results in preventable patient harm in LMICs. Every year, 2.6 million patients die due to avoidable patient safety issues in LMICs. This means five people die every minute as a result of errors while receiving healthcare and more than 7,000 people die every day due to unsafe health care worldwide. Furthermore, Unsafe surgical care procedures cause complications in up to 25% of patients, while medication errors are a leading cause of injury and avoidable harm that cost health care systems across the globe US$42 billion annually.
Given these statistics, patients, caregivers, health workers, and policymakers must recognize the importance of preventing harm to patients while providing care. Patient safety underpins the principle of “and do no harm”, a fundamental component of health care delivery which is critical to achieving Universal Health. Therefore, on this day, the World Health Organization (WHO) will launch a global campaign to raise awareness of patient safety and urge people to show their commitment to making health care safer for patients. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) will be joining the global campaign with a regional proposal encouraging the countries of the Region of the Americas to implement in accordance with our approach and vision.
As part of this global campaign, we invite you to observe WPSD along with PAHO/WHO by sharing PAHO’s social media messages on your media houses and/or personal platforms so we can bring together patients, families, caregivers, communities, health workers and policymakers to Speak Up For Patient Safety!
About PAHO/WHO
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) works with the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of its population. Founded in 1902, it is the world’s oldest international public health agency. It serves as the Regional Office of WHO for the Americas and is the specialized health agency of the Inter-American system. For further information please contact Pete Castillo, IT/Communications Consultant at castillpet@paho.org or visit paho.org.
