World Patient Safety Day: Lagos ramps up efforts to protect Newborns, Children

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening healthcare systems to deliver safe and quality care for newborns and children.

The pledge came during a symposium to herald the 2025 World Patient Safety Day, held with the theme “Safe Care for Every Newborn and Every Child”.

The event was organised by the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA).

Delivering her address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, described the theme as central to the state’s obligation to protect its most vulnerable citizens.

She explained that this year’s slogan, “Patient Safety from the Start”, aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ agenda, which prioritises healthcare reforms, life-saving interventions, and the dignity of children at the beginning of life.

Ogunyemi cautioned that millions of children worldwide still suffer preventable harm due to unsafe practices, weak systems, or inadequate resources.

Lagos, she said, remains determined to close these gaps by reinforcing regulatory oversight and expanding safe healthcare access.

“This is not only about medical procedures but about building a culture of safety in every facility,” she said. “It is about empowering providers, giving families confidence, and ensuring every child is protected from birth, through complication prevention, timely access to life-saving treatment, and safe hospital environments.”

She stressed that patient safety is both a medical and moral imperative: “Every child we protect today is a future we secure tomorrow. Safe care is an investment in a healthier, more prosperous society.”

Also addressing participants, the Permanent Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr. Abiola Idowu, highlighted the need for a stronger culture of safety in healthcare delivery, especially for newborns and children.

Idowu explained that global data shows the first day of life carries the highest risk of death for newborns.

“Patient safety begins even before birth, with the mother, and continues from day one of a child’s life,” she said.

“Newborns are particularly vulnerable, and we are urging healthcare workers to embed safety practices into every stage of care.”

She added that the campaign extends beyond hospitals to communities and households, where preventive practices are equally vital, saying that to deepen awareness, HEFAMAA invited healthcare students and community members to the symposium.

Training the next generation early in safety principles, Idowu said, is critical to shaping mindsets and upholding patients’ rights.

“It is not only about treatment but also about communication, follow-up, and ensuring patients understand their care.”

She noted that HEFAMAA carries out routine inspections of healthcare facilities across Lagos, checking infrastructure, staffing, and compliance with standards.

“We monitor daily to ensure facilities are safe. Our ultimate goal is that Lagos residents receive care in environments that meet global benchmarks,” she said.

In his contribution, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, addressed the challenge of medical professionals leaving the country and its impact on patient care.

He described the migration of doctors as a major concern, driven by “push factors” within Nigeria and “pull factors” abroad such as better working conditions and stronger exchange rates.

While acknowledging that some issues lie beyond government control, he noted that Lagos is tackling local challenges to keep professionals motivated.

“We are ensuring new health facilities include staff accommodation to ease mobility challenges, posting workers closer to their homes, and expanding residency programmes to keep doctors engaged and advancing in their careers,” he explained.

Ogboye revealed that Lagos is establishing a new University of Medicine and Health Sciences, which will more than double the state’s training capacity for healthcare professionals.

This, he said, will cushion the impact of migration while preparing a stronger workforce.

Beyond retention, he pointed out that Lagos is also encouraging the return of skilled professionals.

“We are seeing what I call the Japada movement. Many who left are coming back after gaining experience abroad, and we are making reintegration attractive and seamless,” he said.

On patient safety, Ogboye stressed that regulation and monitoring remain central to government’s approach.

Through agencies like HEFAMAA and the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), he said the state engages stakeholders regularly to identify challenges and improve service delivery.

“We conduct clinical audits in our facilities to ensure patients receive safe care. Regulation may not always be popular, but it is necessary to build public confidence in our health system. Our aim is simple: every patient who enters our hospitals should leave healthier than when they came in,” he added.

World Patient Safety Day, marked globally on 17 September, is dedicated to raising awareness and taking action to reduce harm in healthcare delivery. This year’s focus on safe care for newborns and children underscores the urgent need to protect lives at the very beginning of the human journey.