“For the first time in our nation’s history, the Federal Ministry of Health is taking a groundbreaking step towards fostering a patient safety culture among our dedicated health workers. This policy document not only serves as a guide for healthcare providers but also establishes a framework to uphold the highest standards of care quality within the Nigerian health system.” —Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, CON (Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare)
After two years of working closely with key partners to provide technical support to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoHSW) in drafting and developing the National Patient Safety and Care Quality Policy Implementation Strategy, DRASA participated in the launch of the policy document on the 2024 World Patient Safety Day—the 17th of September 2024—and provided additional support to disseminate the policy document.
This launch was a highlight of the Ministerial Press Briefing, one of the activities put in place to commemorate the 2024 World Patient Safety Day (WPSD) focused on diagnostic safety. During the briefing, the Honorable Coordinating Minister, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, ably represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ms. Kachollom Shangti Daju, alongside other key stakeholders from the Ministry, the World Health Organization, Patient Safety Africa, Society for Family Health, and Association of Reproductive Health Physicians, addressed the public through the media.
This Patient Safety and Care Quality Policy Implementation Strategy is a significant step forward in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to enhance the safety and quality of healthcare delivery, using the long-old “do no harm” principle. It outlines strategic measures aimed at reducing medical and diagnostic errors, ensuring standardized care practices, and improving healthcare infrastructure. It also promotes continuous training for healthcare professionals to enhance their skills in diagnosis and treatment, while also fostering greater accountability and transparency in patient care.
During the briefing, the Honorable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare emphasized that improving diagnostic practices is essential to reducing preventable deaths and improving overall patient outcomes. “Every misdiagnosis or delay in diagnosis is a missed opportunity to provide lifesaving treatment,” he remarked, underscoring the policy’s goal to bridge gaps in the healthcare system that contribute to these errors.
The launch of the policy is expected to drive substantial improvements in healthcare quality and safety, including diagnostics, which has long been an overlooked aspect of patient care in many parts of the world. “Diagnostic safety is essential because it ensures that no one is harmed while receiving care. This we have done over the years and in partnership with key government institutions, especially in our infection prevention and control work, to equip health workers to deliver safer care to every Nigerian patient,” Mrs. Niniola Williams, Managing Director at DRASA Health Trust, mentioned in her goodwill message to FMOHSW.
In Nigeria, where access to diagnostic services can be limited and healthcare systems often operate under significant strain, improving diagnosis is a crucial priority. Addressing these issues will require concerted efforts at multiple levels, including policy reform, investment in health infrastructure, and a cultural shift toward patient-centered care. To heed the need for collaborative support, “The WHO will contribute to supporting the country to prioritize diagnostic safety using a multifaceted approach so that health workers are supported in making the right decisions throughout the entire diagnostic process,” affirmed the Country Director of the World Health Organization, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, whose representative spoke at the briefing.
In addition to the ministerial press briefing and launch of the policy, another activity FMOHSW hosted to mark this year’s World Patient Safety Day was a one-hour awareness road walk.
On the morning of September 17th, the road walk began, starting from the Federal Secretariat in the heart of Abuja, to draw attention and educate the public on improving diagnostic accuracy in healthcare. Participants included healthcare professionals, key government officials from the Ministry, advocacy groups, and members of the public, all rallying behind the theme of diagnostic safety.
Participants dressed in white t-shirts, with the slogan “Get it right, make it safe!” and led by a WPSD banner, walked an approximate distance of three kilometers, vibrantly educating the public about what they need to know and how they need to work with healthcare providers to ensure a reliable, accurate, and timely diagnosis is received upon health facilities visits for their care or loved ones.
The road walk not only underscored the importance of diagnosis in patient care but also aimed to engage the wider community in this conversation. “Today reminds us that as health workers, patient safety is key to whatever results we achieve. Everyone at one point or another has been a patient, and it is because we were handled well that we are standing here today. We also need to keep reminding ourselves of our covenant with the patients that the patients have rights that we must uphold anytime they come to the hospital to receive care. Once we get it right, we make it safe,” expressed Dr. Kamil Shoretire, the Director of Health Planning, Research, and Statistics at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Wrong medical diagnoses delay the patient’s journey to healing and can lead to unforeseen dangers. The activities held in Abuja for World Patient Safety Day 2024 served as a powerful reminder of the need to prioritize accurate diagnosis in healthcare. From the spirited road walk to the launch of the National Patient Safety and Care Quality Policy Implementation Strategy document, the day’s events highlighted both the challenges and the solutions needed to improve patient safety in Nigeria.
As we move forward, DRASA is committed to supporting the FMOH&SW to leverage professional associations and regulatory bodies to disseminate the policy document, as these key healthcare workers are important to implementing the strategies in the document.
DRASA remains engaged in advocating for policies and practices that enhance healthcare quality and safety. Along with other healthcare professionals, policymakers, or patients, we will continue to play our role in ensuring that diagnosis is timely, accurate, and safe because it brings a healthier future for all.
