Safe care protects people living with NCDs every day

WHO | Regional Office for Africa - Making People Healthier · September 23, 2026

Safe care protects people living with NCDs every day 23 September 2026 ochembac@who.int Wed, 23/09/2026 - 13:14 Abuja – As the world marks World Patient Safety Day 2026, World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for safer care for people living with noncommunicable diseases. In Nigeria, strengthening health systems, improving communication, supporting continuity of care and engaging patients in decisions about their treatment can help reduce avoidable harm and improve health outcomes. For people living with hypertension, diabetes, cancer and other noncommunicable diseases, care often extends over many years. It can involve regular consultations, medicines, diagnostic tests and follow-up appointments across different levels of the health system. At every step, clear communication between health workers and patients is essential for safe and effective care. For 52-year-old Yomi Bolaji from Ondo State in south-west Nigeria, managing hypertension has been part of daily life for the past 15 years. After his doctor adjusted the dose of his blood pressure medicine, Bolaji continued taking the previous dose because he misunderstood the change. Days later, he experienced headaches and dizziness and returned to the health facility for assessment. "That experience taught me not to make assumptions about my medication. I need to understand what I am taking, the right dose and ask questions when something is not clear," he said. "I have also learned that managing my blood pressure is a partnership between me and the health workers." Bolaji's experience illustrates a challenge faced by many people living with long-term conditions. An unclear prescription, incomplete patient information, delayed referrals or a missed diagnosis can interrupt treatment and increase the risk of harm. World Patient Safety Day 2026 is being observed under the theme "Safe care for noncommunicable diseases" and the slogan "Safe care for life." The campaign calls for action to reduce avoidable harm across the continuum of care and encourages people living with chronic conditions to take an active role in managing their health. Safer care across the noncommunicable disease journey Noncommunicable diseases caused around 43 million deaths globally in 2021. In the WHO African Region, nearly two-thirds of deaths from noncommunicable diseases occur prematurely. These diseases are also a leading cause of disability and reduced quality of life. Their growing burden is linked to factors including tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, obesity, hypertension and air pollution. In Nigeria, an estimated 30% to 40% of adults aged 30 to 79 years live with hypertension. Yet many people remain undiagnosed, untreated or have uncontrolled blood pressure. Expanding access to diagnosis and treatment must be accompanied by efforts to ensure safe care throughout the patient journey. Managing chronic conditions can become increasingly complex when patients have multiple health conditions, take several medicines or receive treatment from different facilities. Changes made at one facility may not be reflected elsewhere, and patients may leave consultations without fully understanding their treatment plans. These gaps can affect patient safety and health outcomes. Reducing risks and improving continuity of care Speaking at a press conference in Abuja to mark World Patient Safety Day, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Dr Muhammad Pate said that ensuring safe, quality care for people living with noncommunicable diseases is critical as Nigeria expands access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment services. "Patient safety requires continuity of care, meaningful engagement of patients and families, and mutual respect between health workers, patients and their relatives. We must move from commitments to action, from reporting to learning, and from learning to sustained improvement in the quality of care," he said. This year's observance highlights practical actions that can make care safer at every stage. WHO has proposed patient safety goals that focus on safer diagnosis, safer use of medicines, better communication, stronger continuity of care, stronger health systems and greater patient participation in healthcare decisions. WHO Representative in Nigeria Dr Pavel Ursu said WHO will continue supporting national efforts to improve the quality and safety of care. "Preventing avoidable harm is essential to quality, people-centred care. WHO continues to support government efforts to strengthen primary health care and improve the quality and safety of noncommunicable disease services, ensuring that patients and families are actively involved in their care from diagnosis through long-term follow-up." Building safer services in Nigeria Improving patient safety requires action across the health system. The Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, is strengthening patient safety and quality of care through broader health sector reforms, including the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the Sector-Wide Approach, which prioritize stronger primary health care and progress towards universal health coverage. Following approval of the National Patient Safety and Care Quality Policy and Implementation Strategy in 2024, the government established the National Task Force on Clinical Governance and Patient Safety in 2026 to support implementation and strengthen standards for safer care. WHO has also supported implementation of the first phase of the National Hypertension Control Initiative in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Kano State and Ogun State, with funding from Resolve to Save Lives. The initiative integrates hypertension screening and treatment into primary health care using the WHO HEARTS technical package. By the end of the first phase, hypertension services were available in 104 primary healthcare facilities across Kano and Ogun states. More than 22 700 people had been diagnosed with hypertension, and 16 455 people had been enrolled in care. Safe care throughout life As Nigeria continues to strengthen prevention and treatment services for noncommunicable diseases, progress will be measured not only by access to care but also by the safety and quality of that care. For people living with conditions that may require treatment for decades, safe care is a lifelong requirement. It depends on coordinated, people-centred services that integrate prevention, health promotion, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care across the continuum of care. For Bolaji, safe care means understanding his treatment and feeling confident in the decisions made about his health. For Nigeria, it means ensuring that every person living with a noncommunicable disease can access services that are available, safe, coordinated and people centred. Sustaining progress will require continued action from government, health workers, development partners, the private sector and communities. Nigeria has already taken important steps, including establishing the National Task Force on Clinical Governance and Patient Safety and developing a National Framework on Clinical Governance and Patient Safety to strengthen accountability, quality improvement and learning across the health system. The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian receives healthcare that is safe, effective, timely, equitable and respectful. Working together, partners can help reduce avoidable harm and ensure safer, higher-quality care for every patient at every point of care

Safe care protects people living with NCDs every day 23 September 2026 ochembac@who.int Wed, 23/09/2026 - 13:14 Abuja – As the world marks World Patient Safety Day 2026, World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for safer care for people living with noncommunicable diseases. In Nigeria, strengthening health systems, improving communication, supporting continuity of care and engaging patients in decisions about their treatment can help reduce avoidable harm and improve health outcomes. For people living with hypertension, diabetes, cancer and other noncommunicable diseases, care often extends over many years. It can involve regular consultations, medicines, diagnostic tests and follow-up appointments across different levels of the health system. At every step, clear communication between health workers and patients is essential for safe and effective care. For 52-year-old Yomi Bolaji from Ondo State in south-west Nigeria, managing hypertension has been part of daily life for the past 15 years. After his doctor adjusted the dose of his blood pressure medicine, Bolaji continued taking the previous dose because he misunderstood the change. Days later, he experienced headaches and dizziness and returned to the health facility for assessment. "That experience taught me not to make assumptions about my medication. I need to understand what I am taking, the right dose and ask questions when something is not clear," he said. "I have also learned that managing my blood pressure is a partnership between me and the health workers." Bolaji's experience illustrates a challenge faced by many people living with long-term conditions. An unclear prescription, incomplete patient information, delayed referrals or a missed diagnosis can interrupt treatment and increase the risk of harm. World Patient Safety Day 2026 is being observed under the theme "Safe care for noncommunicable diseases" and the slogan "Safe care for life." The campaign calls for action to reduce avoidable harm across the continuum of care and encourages people living with chronic conditions to take an active role in managing their health. Safer care across the noncommunicable disease journey Noncommunicable diseases caused around 43 million deaths globally in 2021. In the WHO African Region, nearly two-thirds of deaths from noncommunicable diseases occur prematurely. These diseases are also a leading cause of disability and reduced quality of life. Their growing burden is linked to factors including tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, obesity, hypertension and air pollution. In Nigeria, an estimated 30% to 40% of adults aged 30 to 79 years live with hypertension. Yet many people remain undiagnosed, untreated or have uncontrolled blood pressure. Expanding access to diagnosis and treatment must be accompanied by efforts to ensure safe care throughout the patient journey. Managing chronic conditions can become increasingly complex when patients have multiple health conditions, take several medicines or receive treatment from different facilities. Changes made at one facility may not be reflected elsewhere, and patients may leave consultations without fully understanding their treatment plans. These gaps can affect patient safety and health outcomes. Reducing risks and improving continuity of care Speaking at a press conference in Abuja to mark World Patient Safety Day, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Dr Muhammad Pate said that ensuring safe, quality care for people living with noncommunicable diseases is critical as Nigeria expands access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment services. "Patient safety requires continuity of care, meaningful engagement of patients and families, and mutual respect between health workers, patients and their relatives. We must move from commitments to action, from reporting to learning, and from learning to sustained improvement in the quality of care," he said. This year's observance highlights practical actions that can make care safer at every stage. WHO has proposed patient safety goals that focus on safer diagnosis, safer use of medicines, better communication, stronger continuity of care, stronger health systems and greater patient participation in healthcare decisions. WHO Representative in Nigeria Dr Pavel Ursu said WHO will continue supporting national efforts to improve the quality and safety of care. "Preventing avoidable harm is essential to quality, people-centred care. WHO continues to support government efforts to strengthen primary health care and improve the quality and safety of noncommunicable disease services, ensuring that patients and families are actively involved in their care from diagnosis through long-term follow-up." Building safer services in Nigeria Improving patient safety requires action across the health system. The Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, is strengthening patient safety and quality of care through broader health sector reforms, including the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the Sector-Wide Approach, which prioritize stronger primary health care and progress towards universal health coverage. Following approval of the National Patient Safety and Care Quality Policy and Implementation Strategy in 2024, the government established the National Task Force on Clinical Governance and Patient Safety in 2026 to support implementation and strengthen standards for safer care. WHO has also supported implementation of the first phase of the National Hypertension Control Initiative in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Kano State and Ogun State, with funding from Resolve to Save Lives. The initiative integrates hypertension screening and treatment into primary health care using the WHO HEARTS technical package. By the end of the first phase, hypertension services were available in 104 primary healthcare facilities across Kano and Ogun states. More than 22 700 people had been diagnosed with hypertension, and 16 455 people had been enrolled in care. Safe care throughout life As Nigeria continues to strengthen prevention and treatment services for noncommunicable diseases, progress will be measured not only by access to care but also by the safety and quality of that care. For people living with conditions that may require treatment for decades, safe care is a lifelong requirement. It depends on coordinated, people-centred services that integrate prevention, health promotion, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care across the continuum of care. For Bolaji, safe care means understanding his treatment and feeling confident in the decisions made about his health. For Nigeria, it means ensuring that every person living with a noncommunicable disease can access services that are available, safe, coordinated and people centred. Sustaining progress will require continued action from government, health workers, development partners, the private sector and communities. Nigeria has already taken important steps, including establishing the National Task Force on Clinical Governance and Patient Safety and developing a National Framework on Clinical Governance and Patient Safety to strengthen accountability, quality improvement and learning across the health system. The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian receives healthcare that is safe, effective, timely, equitable and respectful. Working together, partners can help reduce avoidable harm and ensure safer, higher-quality care for every patient at every point of care

Источник: WHO | Regional Office for Africa - Making People Healthier