World Patient Safety Day: Focus on Safe Healthcare for Non-Communicable Diseases
World Patient Safety Day, observed every year on **September 17**, continues to emphasize raising public awareness to reduce avoidable harm to patients during healthcare delivery. The theme for **2026** is 'Safe Healthcare for Non-Communicable Diseases,' with the slogan 'Safe Healthcare Throughout Life.'
Kathmandu. World Patient Safety Day is observed every year on September 17. Led by the World Health Organization (WHO), the day has been emphasizing raising public awareness to reduce avoidable harm to patients during healthcare delivery.
The theme for World Patient Safety Day 2026 is 'Safe Healthcare for Non-Communicable Diseases,' while the slogan is 'Safe Healthcare Throughout Life.'
This year, focus is placed on reducing avoidable harm during the prevention, identification, treatment, and long-term management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and heart-related conditions.
On the occasion of the day, the following objectives have been set:
- Raising public awareness about safety risks in non-communicable diseases that require continuous treatment
- Engaging patients in building safer healthcare services
- Incorporating patient safety into health policy and primary healthcare services
Additionally, emphasis is placed on improving safe use of medicines, safe identification of diseases, and effective communication between health workers and patients.
Various programs, policy discussions, health interactions, and community-level events are organized worldwide on the occasion of the day. There is also a practice of illuminating important landmarks and public spaces in orange to express solidarity with patient safety.