WHO Reports Uneven Patient Safety Progress in Africa as NCD Deaths Rise

The World Health Organization has reported uneven progress across Africa in implementing patient safety measures, highlighting growing risks for millions living with noncommunicable diseases. A regional survey covering 44 of the continent's 47 countries found that while clinical processes were the strongest area, significant gaps remain in systems for reporting and learning from medical errors. The findings, released ahead of World Patient Safety Day on September 17, come as noncommunicable diseases become a leading cause of death across the region. NCDs accounted for 37% of all deaths in the WHO African Region in 2019, up from 24% in 2000. Nearly two-thirds of these deaths are premature, compared with 41.7% globally. "Every person should be protected from avoidable harm throughout their health journey," said Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa. "Together, we can build safer health services that earn and sustain the trust of the people they serve." The WHO survey assessed implementation of the Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021-2030.