Hope Ajayi 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for stronger patient safety measures in the treatment of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), warning that people living with chronic conditions can face avoidable harm during years of care.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, made the call on Wednesday in his message marking World Patient Safety Day 2026, themed “Safe care for noncommunicable diseases” with the slogan “Safe care for life!”
Janabi said patients with chronic diseases often require years of consultations, diagnostic tests, medication, referrals and treatment, creating multiple points where errors or gaps in care can occur.
He identified delayed or missed diagnoses, medication errors, adverse drug interactions, inadequate follow-up and poor communication between health facilities among the risks patients may face.
NCDs caused at least 43 million deaths globally in 2021, according to WHO figures cited by Janabi.
In the WHO African Region, NCDs accounted for 37 per cent of all deaths in 2019, up from 24 per cent in 2000. Nearly two-thirds of NCD deaths in the region were premature.
He urged governments to involve patients and families in decisions about their care and strengthen systems for reporting and learning from harm.
The WHO patient safety warning also places emphasis on communication and coordination because people living with NCDs may receive care from multiple health facilities and healthcare professionals over extended periods.
Janabi said WHO would continue supporting countries in the African Region to improve the quality and safety of NCD services.
He stressed that patients should be protected from avoidable harm throughout their health journey, making patient safety an integral part of long-term NCD care.
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