By Wekoyera Moses Wangoolo
The government has announced that Uganda will join the world to celebrate Patient Safety Day for newborns and their mothers on the 17th of September 2021.
This was announced today at Uganda Media Centre by officials from the MoH, who revealed that a number of activities have been planned for this day. Among the activities for the celebrations shall include; reviewing awareness to and putting out key messages and a Webinar that will be held on Wednesday to share knowledge and experiences among the stakeholders involved in patient safety practices.
World Patient Safety Day was established in 2019 to enhance global understanding of patient safety, increase public engagement in the safety of health care and promote global actions to enhance patient safety and reduce patient harm.
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According to Mr. Martin Sedyona the Assistant Commissioner, Quality Assurance, at the MoH, the ministry aims at ensuring that patients’ safety is guaranteed at the various health service centres by involving the various stakeholders.
He noted that the many challenges at work can injure patients arguing health service providers to be mindful in the dispensation of their respective duties. Sedyona revealed that this year’s theme shall be, ”the safety of Mothers and their role to their unborn children” as WHO urges all stakeholders to “Act now for safe and respectful childbirth!” with the theme “Safe maternal and newborn care”.
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He added that the MoH aims at key objectives in ensuring patients’ safety including, increasing awareness on the safety of patients in the various health centres around the country.
WHO statistics states that approximately 810 women die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. In addition, around 6700 newborns die every day, amounting to 47% of all under-5 deaths. Moreover, about 2 million babies are stillborn every year, with over 40% occurring during labour.
