Abuja: The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has raised concerns over unsafe diagnosis, medication errors, poor communication, and fragmented care, which pose significant risks to patients living with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Speaking at a news conference in Abuja to mark the 2026 World Patient Safety Day, themed ‘Safe Care for Non-Communicable Diseases,’ Pate emphasized the dangers for patients requiring long-term care who rely on multiple services and providers.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Prof. Pate highlighted that NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases, are a major health burden necessitating prolonged interaction with healthcare systems. These interactions introduce safety risks at various stages of care, making patient safety a cornerstone of effective healthcare delivery. In response, the ministry has developed the National Patient Safety and Care Quality Policy and Implementation Strategy to enhance healthcare standards and outcomes.
The minister announced the establishment of the National Task Force on Clinical Governance and Patient Safety to institutionalize clinical governance across Nigeria’s healthcare facilities. This task force is working on a National Framework to strengthen accountability, quality improvement, and monitoring. Prof. Pate also advocated for a ‘Just Culture’ in health institutions, where healthcare professionals can report incidents and safety concerns without fear, promoting transparency and learning.
Patient engagement is central to safety efforts, with individuals encouraged to actively participate in their treatment decisions. Prof. Pate urged stakeholders to view patient safety as an ongoing commitment rather than an annual observance, aiming to ensure that no Nigerian suffers harm while receiving healthcare services.
Ms. Daju Kachollom, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, underscored the importance of designing care that is safe, effective, and people-centered. She called on health workers, institutions, and partners to make safety a standard in everyday healthcare delivery.
Dr. Pavel Ursu, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative, noted the significant impact of healthcare errors on Nigerians, citing that NCDs accounted for 43 million deaths globally in 2021. He stressed the need for robust primary healthcare systems to improve continuity and coordination of care and urged governments to embed patient safety in NCD policies.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that World Patient Safety Day is observed annually on September 17 to promote action against avoidable harm in healthcare.