Ethiopia Marks World Patient Safety Day 2025 with Renewed Commitment to Safer Care for Children

Addis Ababa, 17 September 2025 - Ethiopia joined the global community in commemorating World Patient Safety Day (WPSD) 2025 under the theme "Safe care for every newborn and every child." The national celebration, held at ALERT Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Addis Ababa, brought together health authorities, health professionals, patients, families, and development partners to reaffirm the country's commitment to ensuring safe, high-quality care for children from the very start of life.

The event, officially opened by State Minister of Health, Mrs. Seharla Abdulahi, featured panel discussions, patient testimonies, and a moving performance by a local choir-all underscoring the human impact of patient safety. Documentary screenings, poster presentations, and guided hospital tours further showcased Ethiopia's progress in advancing neonatal and child health safety.

A key highlight was the launch of Ethiopia's new National Incident Reporting and Management Guidelines and Patient Identification Guidelines, marking an important milestone in strengthening the culture of patient safety across health institutions. These tools are designed to standardize safety practices, reduce preventable harm, and reinforce accountability within the health system.

Dr. Bejoy Nambiar, WHO Ethiopia's Health System and Policy Advisor, speaking on behalf of WHO Ethiopia Representative a.i. Prof. Francis Kasolo, commended Ethiopia's progress in reducing maternal and child mortality but cautioned that serious challenges remain in ensuring consistently safe, effective, and people-centered care for newborns and children. "Unsafe care in these settings contributes to morbidity, mortality, and long-term disability," he stressed.

Dr. Bejoy highlighted systemic factors-including underdeveloped infrastructure, weak communication, unsafe medication practices, inadequate staffing, and limited family engagement-as major contributors to preventable harm. "Addressing patient safety in newborns and children is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic opportunity to improve long-term health outcomes," he emphasized, reaffirming WHO's commitment to supporting Ethiopia's Ministry of Health.

A plenary session convened health professionals, policymakers, parents, and caregivers to discuss the unique vulnerabilities of newborns and children, the national and global burden of preventable harm, and Ethiopia's progress in strengthening safety. Discussions also highlighted innovative practices, persistent challenges, and the importance of research and innovation. Importantly, the session underscored the central role of parents and caregivers as active partners in safe care and explored strategies to empower families to engage more meaningfully in the care process.

The commemoration reflected Ethiopia's broader commitment to strengthening leadership, culture, and systems for patient safety across all levels of care. It showcased how collective action-from frontline health workers to policymakers-can create safer health environments for newborns and children.

World Patient Safety Day, established by the World Health Assembly in 2019 and observed annually on 17 September, seeks to raise global awareness of patient safety, encourage public engagement, and inspire action to reduce harm in healthcare. In 2025, WHO is spotlighting the urgent need to protect newborns and children from preventable harm. The theme "Safe care for every newborn and every child" and the slogan "Patient safety from the start!" highlight the critical importance of safeguarding children's health from the earliest moments of life.

This year's commemoration in Ethiopia went beyond symbolic observance. It mobilized government officials, health professionals, civil society organizations, and international partners to pursue sustainable safety improvements. It also empowered families and caregivers to take an active role in care, promoted dialogue on child health safety within institutions and communities, and celebrated best practices and innovations that are driving progress toward safer healthcare.

As the day concluded with a candlelight ceremony, participants departed with a renewed sense of responsibility and hope. Ethiopia's health leaders reaffirmed their shared vision: patient safety from the start-because every child deserves safe care.