Recognizing that Patient Safety is a global health priority, the World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted a resolution (WHA 72.6 ‘Global action on patient safety’ ) on Patient Safety which endorsed the establishment of World Patient Safety Day to be observed annually by Member States on 17 September. The first World Patient Day was observed during 2019. What is Patient Safety? Patient Safety is a health care discipline that emerged with the evolving complexity in health care systems and the resulting rise of patient harm in health care facilities. It aims to prevent and reduce risks, errors and harm that occur to patients during provision of health care. A cornerstone of the discipline is continuous improvement based on learning from errors and adverse events. Patient safety is fundamental to delivering quality essential health services. Indeed, there is a clear consensus that quality health services across the world should be effective, safe and people-centred. In addition, to realize the benefits of quality health care, health services must be timely, equitable, integrated and efficient. To ensure successful implementation of patient safety strategies; clear policies, leadership capacity, data to drive safety improvements, skilled health care professionals and effective involvement of patients in their care, are all needed. Burden of patient harm Patient safety in health care is an urgent and serious global public health concern. Patient harm exerts a very high burden on all health care systems across the world. Every year, an inadmissible number of patients suffer injuries or die because of unsafe and poor quality health care. Most of these injuries are avoidable. The burden of unsafe care broadly highlights the magnitude and scale of the problem. Patient harm due to adverse events is likely to be among the 10 leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Most of these deaths and injuries are avoidable. It is commonly reported that around 1 in 10 hospitalized patients experience harm, with at least 50% being preventable. Around two-thirds of all adverse events resulting from unsafe care, and the years lost to disability and death, occur in LMICs. It is estimated that the cost of harm associated with the loss of life or permanent disability, which results in lost capacity and productivity of the affected patients and families, amounts to trillions of US dollars every year. Furthermore, the psychological cost to the patient and their family (associated with the loss or disabling of a loved one), is certainly significant, though more difficult to measure. Theme for 2025 - Patient safety from the start! World Patient Safety Day 2025 is dedicated to ensuring safe care for every newborn and child, with a special focus on those from birth to nine years old. This year’s slogan, “Patient safety from the start!”, emphasizes the urgent need to act early and consistently to prevent harm throughout childhood, and yield benefits across the life course. Every child has the right to safe, quality health care — from the very beginning. Yet, newborns and young children face higher risks due to their rapid development, evolving health needs and different disease patterns. They rely on adults to speak up and make decisions for them. Children may also face added challenges depending on their socio-economic circumstances, such as not being able to get the care they need. These factors make them more susceptible to harm if care isn’t specifically adapted to their age, size, health condition and context. Key messages Children aren’t small adults. They require individualized safe care. Children need care that fits them—their age, weight, developmental stage, medical needs, ability to communicate and specific context. Safety first, always and in every health care setting. Children are most at risk in intensive care and during complex treatments. Protecting them from unsafe care must come first. The most common causes of harm are known. These include errors with medications and diagnosis, infections caught during care, problems with medical equipment, such as tubes or monitors, and missed warning signs when a child’s condition starts getting worse. Safer care depends on safe systems and teamwork. Well-designed systems, supported staff and engaged caregivers keep children safe. Every voice counts. Related resources Patient safety - WHO resources Source : WHO