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World Patient Safety Day was observed on 17 September 2026 with the WHO theme 'Safe care for noncommunicable diseases' and the slogan 'Safe care for life!'.
NCDs such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease account for about 74% of deaths worldwide and need long-term, repeated care, which multiplies safety risks.
WHO estimates that around 1 in 10 patients is harmed during health care, and about half of that harm is preventable.
The Day was established in May 2019 by the 72nd World Health Assembly through resolution WHA72.6 and is observed every 17 September.
Eliminate avoidable harm in health care — 'a world in which no one is harmed in health care, and every patient receives safe and respectful care, every time, everywhere'.
Key: Mandated by WHA72.6 (2019); adopted by the 74th World Health Assembly in 2021; a ten-year action framework for Member States.
UN specialised agency for health; leads the World Patient Safety Day campaign
WHO's decision-making body of all Member States; established the Day through WHA72.6 in 2019
GS Paper 2 > Health; International institutions (WHO)
A chronic disease not passed from person to person, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic lung disease.
The 2019 World Health Assembly resolution on global action on patient safety that set up World Patient Safety Day.