2026 WORLD PATIENT SAFETY DAY: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ADVOCATES SAFE, QUALITY AND COORDINATED HEALTHCARE
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has called for stronger measures to ensure that Nigerians receive safe, quality and well-coordinated healthcare services.
Speaking in Abuja during the commemoration of the 2026 World Patient Safety Day, Pate said patient safety must remain a major priority across Nigeria’s healthcare system. He noted that this year’s global theme, “Safe Care for Noncommunicable Diseases,” and the slogan “Safe Care for Life,” draw attention to the need to protect patients at every stage of their healthcare journey.
The Minister highlighted the increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases. He stressed that managing these conditions requires more than treatment alone, pointing to the importance of prevention, early detection and diagnosis, appropriate treatment and continuous long-term follow-up.
According to Pate, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has taken steps to strengthen patient safety and improve the quality of healthcare in the country. These include the National Patient Safety and Care Quality Policy Implementation Strategy, approved in 2024, as well as the establishment of a National Task Force on Clinical Governance and Patient Safety in 2026.
Pate also advocated a shift away from a culture of blame within healthcare institutions toward what he described as a “just culture.” Under this approach, healthcare workers should be able to report medical errors, near misses and other safety concerns without fear of punishment. Such reports, he explained, can help health institutions identify problems, learn from mistakes and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Minister called for greater collaboration among federal and state health institutions, private healthcare providers, medical professionals, patients and their families. He said collective action is necessary to reduce avoidable harm and ensure that healthcare services are safe, effective, timely, equitable and respectful for every Nigerian.
The commemoration therefore underscored the need for Nigeria to strengthen its healthcare systems, improve clinical practices and place patient safety at the centre of efforts to achieve better health outcomes.