The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, observed World Patient Safety Day 2026 at the NIHFW Auditorium in New Delhi. The event centred on the theme “Safe Care for Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs)”, aiming to enhance patient safety and quality of care for noncommunicable diseases throughout the healthcare continuum.

As part of the national observance, a diverse group of stakeholders, including policymakers, healthcare leaders, public health experts, and representatives from States and Union Territories, gathered to discuss the importance of safety in NCD care. Key discussions focused on integrating safety measures across various healthcare sectors to improve patient outcomes.

Government Commitment to Patient Safety

Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary & Mission Director of the National Health Mission, reiterated the Indian Government’s dedication to enhancing patient safety and care quality. Patnaik illustrated that patient safety should not fall solely on one department but must be a systemic focus across all aspects of healthcare, especially concerning the management of noncommunicable diseases.

During her address, Patnaik highlighted that approximately 63 per cent of deaths in India are linked to NCDs, which underscores the critical need for a robust patient safety framework. She cited impressive statistics from public health initiatives, with 96 per cent of vaccinations and 90.6 per cent of institutional deliveries occurring in public facilities, as per NFHS-6.

Patnaik also pointed out the significance of continuously improving quality and safety in healthcare institutions, specifically regarding patient referrals and care continuity. This is essential for ensuring that patients receive timely and appropriate healthcare services.

Roadmap for Quality Improvement

During the event, Patnaik urged States and Union Territories to accelerate their quality enhancement initiatives. She called for a structured action plan to achieve full certification under the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) for Ayushman Aarogya Mandir–Sub Health Centres by March 2027, indicating a focus on enhancing healthcare institutions progressively.

The inaugural session concluded with the administration of the National Patient Safety Pledge, representing a unified commitment from healthcare stakeholders to prioritise safer care practices. Following this, a seminar was held focusing on the challenges related to patient safety in the context of noncommunicable diseases and various strategies to address these concerns.

Topics discussed included the reduction of harm in NCD care, utilisation of digital health for safety, and ensuring effective medication safety in managing NCDs. These conversations aimed to turn policies into actionable practices, fostering collaboration among States to improve healthcare quality.

Showcasing Best Practices

Participants shared innovative practices from different States, showcasing successful models such as Jharkhand’s comprehensive screening for geriatric diabetes and hypertension, Kerala’s Hridhyaragam initiative for NCD prevention and control, and Rajasthan’s SETU online referral system. These initiatives highlighted how tailored strategies and knowledge sharing can significantly improve patient safety.

India’s initiatives to strengthen its institutional framework for quality and patient safety include the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) and the National Patient Safety Implementation Framework. This event provided a significant platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas and reinforce the importance of safety in healthcare systems.

The observance of World Patient Safety Day 2026 illustrates the Government of India’s commitment to advancing patient safety as part of Universal Health Coverage, ensuring that safety and quality remain integral to all healthcare delivery systems in the country.

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