A new World Health Organization (WHO) regional survey assessing progress on patient safety across the African Region finds uneven results, as countries work to meet the needs of a growing number of people living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and provide them with safe, continuous care.
The WHO 2025/26 regional patient safety survey, which included 44 of the Region’s 47 countries, found uneven progress in implementing the Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021–2030. Clinical processes emerged as the strongest area assessed, while information and learning systems showed the largest gap. Health workforce capacity, patient and family engagement, and partnerships also require further strengthening.
The findings come as WHO marks World Patient Safety Day on 17 September under the theme “Safe care for noncommunicable diseases” and the slogan “Safe care for life!”, calling for greater action to protect people from avoidable harm throughout their care journey.
NCDs accounted for 37% of all deaths in the WHO African Region in 2019, up from 24% in 2000. Nearly two-thirds of NCD deaths in the Region are premature.
For people living with diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory conditions and other NCDs, health care can involve years of consultations, tests, medicines, referrals and treatment. This repeated interaction with health services can expose patients to risks including delayed or missed diagnoses, medication errors, adverse drug interactions, inadequate follow-up and poor communication when moving between services.
“Every person should be protected from avoidable harm throughout their health journey. Together, we can build safer health services that earn and sustain the trust of the people they serve” said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
The regional assessment points to areas where accelerated action could make a significant difference. These include strengthening systems for reporting and learning from patient safety incidents, building health worker competencies and safety culture, and expanding national and regional partnerships for patient safety.
