Health CS Susan Nakhumicha has reiterated Kenya's commitment to ensure patient safety ahead of the World Patient Safety Day 2023 set for September 17.
Speaking during the 2023 Patient Safety Global Conference, Nakhumicha further applauded patients, caregivers, and healthcare workers for their efforts in advancing safe healthcare practices.
The conference was attended by global leaders including the World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus.
It provided a crucial platform for healthcare leaders and advocates to evaluate progress and collaborate on strategies with tangible impacts on patient safety.
"As we strive to achieve Universal Health Coverage, assuring the safety of patients must remain at the heart of our efforts," Nakhumicha said.
"The evidence is clear; when patients are engaged as partners in their care, significant gains are realised in safety, efficiency in healthcare systems, overall patient satisfaction, reduction of costs and improved health outcomes," she added.
This year's patient safety day theme is 'Engaging patients for patient safety'.
The theme is in recognition of the crucial role patients, families and caregivers play in the safety of health care.
According to WHO, evidence shows that when patients are treated as partners in their care, significant gains are made in safety, patient satisfaction and health outcomes.
By becoming active members of the healthcare team, patients can contribute to the safety of their care and that of the healthcare system as a whole.
The Global Health Agency is now calling on countries to take necessary action to ensure that patients are involved in policy formulation and are represented in governance structures.
