India Marks World Patient Safety Day With Focus on Safer NCD Care
National observance highlights quality assurance, safer treatment practices and stronger patient protection in chronic disease care.
India, Sep 18 : The Union Health Ministry observed World Patient Safety Day 2026 on September 17 with a national focus on improving the safety and quality of care provided to people living with noncommunicable diseases.
The national observance was held at the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare in New Delhi under the theme “Safe Care for Noncommunicable Diseases”. Policymakers, healthcare professionals, public health experts, quality managers, development partners and representatives from states and Union Territories took part in the programme.
The event highlighted the importance of strengthening patient safety throughout the healthcare journey, from diagnosis and treatment to follow-up care. Officials stressed that structured and time bound quality assurance measures are essential for reducing risks and improving healthcare outcomes.
A National Patient Safety Pledge was also administered during the programme, reaffirming the commitment of healthcare stakeholders to safer and higher-quality services.
The Health Ministry said the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases makes patient safety an important component of healthcare delivery. The technical programme included discussions on safe NCD care and state led innovations aimed at improving quality and safety.
The observance also highlighted the need for coordinated efforts among policymakers, clinicians, healthcare institutions and public health authorities to strengthen safety standards across different levels of care.
Separately, the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission began the sixth National Pharmacovigilance Week on September 17. The week long campaign, running through September 23, focuses on the rational use of medicines and encourages healthcare professionals and the public to report adverse drug reactions.
