Safe care for life
For people living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease, healthcare can be a regular part of life. Ongoing treatment and dealing with different healthcare services can make these patients more vulnerable to harm.
With NCDs responsible for 74% of all deaths worldwide, patient safety is a global issue. That’s why the World Health Organization’s (WHO) World Patient Safety Day 2026 on 17 September focuses on ‘Safe care for life!’. The day highlights the need for safer care for people living with NCDs, whenever they receive care.
A spokesperson for the WHO said: “Globally, 1 in 10 patients is harmed during health care, with around half of this harm being considered preventable. People living with NCDs are particularly vulnerable to harm due to the long-term nature of their conditions, ongoing treatment needs and frequent interactions with health systems. This repeated exposure increases the likelihood of harm over time.
“With some conditions, such as cancer, up to 1 in 3 patients experience adverse events during care. Many people also live with multiple chronic conditions, further increasing the risk of harm.”
The campaign is about bringing patients, families, healthcare workers and policy-makers together to design healthcare around people’s lives, making it safer and better for everyone.
