The Union Health Ministry on Thursday commemorated World Patient Safety Day 2026 at the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW) in New Delhi, with the national observance focusing on “Safe Care for Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs)”.
Addressing the event, Additional Secretary and Mission Director (NHM) Aradhana Patnaik stressed that patient safety must be embedded across the health system, particularly in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and long-term management of NCDs.
Patnaik noted that nearly 63 per cent of deaths in India are attributed to NCDs, underlining the importance of safe and quality healthcare. Citing NFHS-6 data, she said 96 per cent of immunisations and 90.6 per cent of institutional deliveries are being conducted through public health facilities.
She called on States and Union Territories to strengthen quality assurance and develop a roadmap for achieving 100 per cent National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certification of Ayushman Aarogya Mandir–Sub Health Centres by March 2027, followed by certification of Ayushman Aarogya Mandir–Primary Health Centres.
The event also saw the administration of the National Patient Safety Pledge, reaffirming stakeholders’ commitment to safer healthcare.
A technical seminar discussed patient safety challenges in NCD care, including digital health, medication safety, co-morbidities and safe clinical pathways. State-led initiatives showcased included Jharkhand’s geriatric diabetic and hypertension screening model, Kerala’s Hridhyaragam programme and Rajasthan’s SETU online referral application.
The Ministry highlighted initiatives such as NQAS and the National Patient Safety Implementation Framework as part of efforts to institutionalise quality and safety in healthcare delivery.
World Patient Safety Day is observed annually on September 17 following its adoption by the World Health Assembly.
