Pate Calls for Stronger Measures to Ensure Patient Safety in Nigeria
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has called for stronger measures to ensure that patients across Nigeria receive safe, quality and coordinated healthcare.
Pate made the call in Abuja during the commemoration of the 2026 World Patient Safety Day, held under the global theme, “Safe Care for Noncommunicable Diseases,” with the slogan, “Safe Care for Life.”
The Minister said the theme highlights the need to protect patients throughout their healthcare journey, particularly those living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
He noted that the growing burden of NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, makes prevention, early diagnosis, appropriate treatment and long-term follow-up essential to improving health outcomes.
Pate said the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had strengthened its commitment to patient safety through the National Patient Safety and Care Quality Policy Implementation Strategy, approved in 2024, as well as the establishment of a National Task Force on Clinical Governance and Patient Safety in 2026.
The Minister also called for a shift from a culture of blame to a “just culture” in the healthcare sector, where health workers can report errors, near misses and safety concerns without fear of punishment.
According to him, creating an environment where healthcare institutions can openly identify and learn from mistakes is essential to preventing avoidable harm and improving the quality of care.
He urged federal and state health institutions, private healthcare providers, health professionals, patients and families to work together to strengthen patient safety and ensure that every Nigerian has access to healthcare that is safe, effective, timely, equitable and respectful.
Pate Calls for Stronger Measures to Ensure Patient Safety in Nigeria