World Patient Safety Day: Lagos pledges stronger action to safeguard Children, Newborns 

Lagos State Government has reiterated its unwavering commitment to safeguarding mothers, newborns, and children from preventable harm, as the government joined the global community to mark the 2025 World Patient Safety Day.

The event, themed “Safe Care for Every Newborn and Every Child” and anchored on the slogan “Patient Safety from the Start”, was celebrated on Wednesday at NECA House, Alausa, Ikeja, with stakeholders describing it as a crucial moment to strengthen the culture of safety across all healthcare facilities.

Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, said the theme reflected Lagos’ determination to embed safety at every stage of healthcare delivery.

She emphasised that safe beginnings for children were “not negotiable”, stressing the need for policy reforms, stronger accountability mechanisms, and improved clinical practices.

“This celebration is not just about speeches, it is about hope, unity, and shared responsibility,” Ogunyemi said, adding that “It is about recognising healthcare champions, amplifying the voices of young professionals, and reaffirming our pledge to build safer systems. Our goal remains a Lagos where no child suffers harm because of unsafe care.”

Ogunyemi outlined government interventions such as stronger regulation, expanded health infrastructure, workforce training, and innovative care models.

She urged health workers, schools, religious institutions, and families to act as ambassadors of patient safety in their communities.

Her remarks followed a symposium earlier in the week where policymakers, health professionals, and students shared strategies to advance maternal and child health in Lagos State.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), Dr. Yemisi Solanke-Koya, described the commemoration as a platform for reflection, collaboration, and renewed action on patient safety.

She reiterated HEFAMAA’s mandate to license, monitor, and accredit health facilities, adding that the agency remains deeply committed to advancing safe practices in healthcare delivery.

“Our focus is to ensure that no mother, no child, and no family suffers avoidable harm due to unsafe care. May the conversations we begin today inspire bold actions, stronger systems, and a renewed culture of safety in all our health facilities for the sake of every newborn and every child,” she said.

Solanke-Koya commended the Lagos State Government for prioritising patient safety as a central pillar of ongoing health sector reforms.

She also praised stakeholders, including frontline health workers and development partners, for their contributions to advancing safer healthcare practices.

Permanent Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr. Abiola Idowu, reinforced the message by urging healthcare providers and communities to recommit to protecting children from preventable harm, describing patient safety as both a healthcare necessity and a moral imperative.

“This year’s theme resonates deeply with the THEMES+ agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, which prioritises the health, safety, and dignity of every Lagos child,” Idowu said.

“Millions of newborns and children worldwide face preventable harm each year due to unsafe practices, systemic gaps, or a lack of resources. Lagos is determined to reverse that trend by strengthening regulations, expanding access, and improving standards across our facilities,” she added.

She noted that patient safety extended beyond medical procedures, requiring a culture where safety is integrated into every aspect of care.

“Every healthcare provider must be empowered to protect children, while families must have confidence that their children are in safe hands,” she added.

Idowu highlighted the need to prevent birth complications, guarantee timely access to life-saving treatments, and create supportive hospital environments that respect dignity and build trust.

She stressed that protecting children today secures the future of families, communities, and the nation at large.

“Every child we protect today is a future we secure tomorrow,” she declared, stressing that “Safe care is not just a healthcare priority, it is an investment in stronger families, healthier communities, and a more prosperous world.”

World Patient Safety Day, marked globally every September 17, serves as a rallying point for governments, health professionals, and communities to take collective action in reducing risks and ensuring quality healthcare. In Lagos, this year’s edition featured symposiums, knowledge-sharing sessions, and recognition of frontline champions driving safe care.