Health experts called for improving patient safety at medical facilities at a meeting held in Hanoi on September 17 by the Medical Services under the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation on the occasion of World Patient Safety Day (September 17).

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son speaks at a meeting
in Hanoi on September 17 to mark the first World Patient Safety Day  

“Patient safety is regarded as an essential element of universal health coverage and has become a global health priority,” said WHO Health System Coordinator Momoe Takeuchi at the meeting.

“Safer care reduces the need for additional treatment or extended hospital stays, the burden of litigation and costs of long-term care occurring due to injury or disability. Safer care can also improve trust in the healthcare system and enable patients to seek often crucial healthcare promptly,” said Takeuchi.

She added that patient safety failures are among the 10 leading causes of death and disability in the world. Most of these deaths and disability are avoidable.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son said that the health ministry issued circular 43 in 2018 on “Guidelines to prevention of medical adverse incidents in healthcare facilities” for improving patient safety at medical facilities nationwide with a focus on safe use of medicine, surgical safety, control of hospital infection and reducing risks.

Son also called on improving awareness on patient safety and commitment to building a safety culture and friendly environment for patients at health facilities nationwide.

Organised for the first time in Vietnam, the event aims to strengthen awareness of health workers and community on patient safety in the country. With the slogan “Speak up for patient safety”, it targets healthcare managers to create enabling environments where healthcare staff can speak up for patient safety, comply, and gradually adopt the culture of patient safety.