Lagos State has committed to protecting mothers, newborns, and children from preventable harm.
The state joined the global community to mark 2025 World Patient Safety Day. With the theme: “Safe Care for Every Newborn and Every Child” and anchored on “Patient Safety from the Start,” this year’s event was marked by at NECA House in Ikeja.
Health leaders, policymakers, and professionals advocated safer healthcare practice and stronger systems.
Special Adviser to the governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, said the event is “a celebration of hope, unity, and shared responsibility.” She stressed that safe beginnings for children were not negotiable, and called for reforms and community engagement.
“Our goal remains a Lagos where no child suffers harm because of unsafe care,” she said. “This is not about speeches, it is recognising healthcare champions, amplifying young voices, and reaffirming our pledge to build safer systems.”
She noted interventions, such as expanded healthcare infrastructure; stricter facility regulation; workforce training and development; as well as innovative care delivery models. She urged health workers, schools, religious bodies, and families to become community ambassadors for patient safety.
Dr. Yemisi Solanke-Koya, chair of the Governing Board of Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency, noted the need for continued collaboration in building a culture of safety. “Our focus is to ensure no mother, child, and family suffers avoidable harm due to unsafe care,” she said. “May the conversations today inspire actions, stronger systems, and a culture of safety.” Solanke-Koya applauded government for placing patient safety at the heart of reforms, and noting the role of frontline workers and growth partners in driving improvements.
Echoing similar sentiments, Dr. Abiola Idowu, Permanent Secretary of HEFAMAA, described patient safety as both a medical necessity and a moral imperative. “This year’s theme resonates deeply with Governor Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ agenda, which prioritises the health, safety, and dignity of every Lagos child,” she said. She highlighted alarming global statistics—millions of children face preventable harm annually—and stressed that Lagos is determined to reverse that trend through regulation, expanded access, and improved care standards. “Safe care is not just a healthcare priority,” Idowu said, “it is an investment in stronger families, healthier communities, and a more prosperous world.” She called for safer birth practices, timely interventions, and supportive environments that preserve dignity and build trust between families and healthcare providers.
As part of the week-long activities, Lagos hosted a symposium involving policymakers, health professionals, and students who shared strategies to advance maternal and child health. The event culminated in renewed calls for cross-sector collaboration, stronger accountability, and community-based advocacy to drive patient safety initiatives. World Patient Safety Day is an initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO), aimed at mobilising global action to reduce healthcare-related harm. This year’s celebration in Lagos reflects a growing recognition that safe healthcare is the foundation of public trust and effective health systems. “Every child we protect today is a future we secure tomorrow,” Dr. Idowu concluded.
