World Patient Safety Day 2021 – This year the theme is ‘Respectful and Safe Maternal and Infant Care’

Today is World Patient Safety Day. This day calls for harmony at a global stage and strategic action of several countries to improve patient healthcare and safety. 

World Patient Safety Day 2021 – This year the theme is ‘Respectful and Safe Maternal and Infant Care’ 
[Photo: Thirdman]

This year the theme is based upon “Respectful and Safe Maternal and Infant Care.” World Patient Safety Day was established in 2019 on September 17, when the 72nd World Health Assembly adopted resolution to increase public engagement for healthcare safety to reduce patient harm and to enhance global understanding of patient safety. This day brings together distinct communities, health workers, patients and policy-makers, demonstrating their commitment to patient safety. 

World Patient Safety Day 2021 Theme 

Each year is dedicated on a different theme. This year the theme is based upon “Respectful and Safe Maternal and Infant Care.” 

The WHO Patient Safety Programme is also organizing a global healthcare conference -"Together for respectful and safe maternal and infant care.” 

Objectives of World Patient Safety Day 

Global observance of World Patient Safety Day aims to:  

• Raise awareness for patient safety issues and healthcare globally 
• Encourage development of procedures for eradication of all avoidable health care related harm to patients, and administration of risks in health care  
• Encourage governments to support the execution of strategies for securing patient safety, handling risks and supportive learning cultures    
• Strengthen partnerships at global levels for implementing patient safety in a tactful manner and for improving patient safety  
• Emphasize specific patient safety themes such as training in education for patient safety, safety in medication, reporting and learning systems. 

Why WHO celebrates World Patient Safety Day 

The World Health Assembly adopted a resolution on 24th May 2019 to address global patient safety and healthcare in a schematic manner. According to WHO, having a World Patient Safety Day is necessary in order to address patient safety through global unification and a strategic action by stakeholders of different countries. Nearly, 850 women die every day from issues related to pregnancy and childbirth. The number of infants that die at birth are no less than 6700 per day. Moreover, among 2 million babies born every year, 40% are occurring during labour.  

About the campaign of WHO 

The World Patient Safety Initiative is a strategic campaign for all collaborators and shareholders associated with the healthcare system for ensuring and fostering patient safety. The campaign is mainly concerned with the following objectives:  

• Consolidating global action on patient safety 
• Measures to eradicate avoidable patient harm 
• Spreading awareness amongst the civilians on key issues relating to patient safety 
• Ideation of creative ideas to improve patient safety 

With the world still facing the COVID-19 pandemic and the inequalities that exists, the most marginalized and vulnerable populations are being affected not only due to the lack of access to vaccines and direct effects of the pandemic, but also due to the disruption of the most essential health services. Unfortunately, women and new born babies, are amongst these groups. Most of these issues are avoidable through the provision of quality and a secure healthcare system led by skilled healthcare professionals working in welcoming environments.  

Author 

 Ankita Majumder