World Patient Safety Day: Theme, Significance, History

World Patient Safety Day (WPSD) is observed on September 17 every year. The day aims at raising awareness about safety of patients and calling all countries and international partners for solid action to reduce patient harm. It is one of 11 official global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization (WHO).

World Patient Safety Day Date

Below mentioned are the upcoming dates for World Patient Safety Day for the next 4 years.

World Patient Safety Day 2023 Overview

Significance of World Patient Safety Day

There is no doubt to the fact that the quality and quantity of healthcare services being received have both enhanced. But due to the complexity of the modern healthcare system, the patient harm has also increased multifold. The adverse condition that most patients live in is one of the leading causes of global illness and death. Condition is worse in developing and underdeveloped countries with very little income people and insufficient medical facilities. According to a report, annually 134 million patients are subjected to adverse hospitalization conditions which in turn results in around 2.6 million deaths. Patient suffering can also be seen in high-income or developed countries but with a better scenario.

Under such conditions, the need to celebrate a day dedicated to the safety of the patients is considered important. The World Patient Safety Day will be observed with the aim to draw worldwide attention to the safety of the patients and on measures to protect them from getting harmed.

World Patient Safety Day Objectives

The following objectives have been set by the World health organization which World Patient Safety Day will be observing:

1. “RAISE global awareness of the high burden of medication-related harm due to medication errors and unsafe practices, and ADVOCATE urgent action to improve medication safety.”
2. “ENGAGE key stakeholders and partners in the efforts to prevent medication errors and reduce medication-related harm.”
3. “EMPOWER patients and families to be actively involved in the safe use of medication.”
4. “SCALE UP implementation of the WHO Global Patient Safety Challenge: Medication Without Harm.”

History of World Patient Safety Day Observation

The history of World Patient Safety Day celebration is not very old and it was established in May 2019 at the 72nd World Health Assembly. The assembly adopted the resolution WHA 72.6 on ‘Global action on patient safety’ that was built on a series of annual Global Ministerial Summits on Patient Safety initiated in 2016. September 17 was chosen as World Patient Safety Day and this special day was established in the year 2019.

World Patient Safety Day Theme

2024 Theme: “Improving diagnosis for patient safety“

2023 Theme: “Engaging patients for patient safety”

2022 Theme: “Medication Safety”

2021 Theme: Safe and Respectful Maternal and Newborn Care

2020 Theme: Health Worker Safety: A Priority for Patient Safety

2019: Patient Safety: A Global Health Priority

How is World Patient Safety Day celebrated?

To observe the World Patient Safety Day, the World Health Organization conducts a combination of virtual and live regular events in many parts of the world. Governments, nongovernmental organizations, professional organizations, civil society, patient organizations, etc are invited to join WHO in its initiative and celebrate the day with different themes and activities.

Many national and local events are organized around World Patient Safety Day to make people aware of the importance of the day. Be a part of such event to learn more about patient safety and teach others about the same this WPSD.

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