World Patient Safety Day

World Patient Safety Day, on 17 September 2021, aims to raise awareness on patient safety as a global health priority. The objectives of World Patient Safety Day are to increase public awareness and engagement, enhance global understanding, and spur global solidarity and action to promote patient safety.

This year’s campaign is dedicated to the need to prioritise and address safety in maternal and new-born care, particularly around the time of childbirth, when most harm occurs. The campaign finds that this is especially important in the context of disruption to health services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has further compounded the situation.

Commenting on some women’s experiences during childbirth are affected by issues of gender equity and violence, the campaign has also highlighted the important notion of respectful care and its linkages with safety.