By Chizoba Vivian Anazonwu
As the world marks World Patient Safety Day, attention is again focused on the need to make healthcare safer, particularly for people living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases.
The theme of this year’s observance is “Safe Care for Noncommunicable Disease”, with the slogan “Safe Care for Life.” The World Health Organisation (WHO) notes that people living with NCDs often require long term and repeated interaction with healthcare services, creating several points at which avoidable harm can occur.
For Anambra, the observance provides an opportunity to reflect on the state’s healthcare system and the importance of ensuring that residents have access to quality, affordable and safe healthcare services.
The administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo has identified healthcare as part of its human capital and social development priorities. According to the state government, it has invested in the construction and modernisation of 326 primary healthcare centres.
However, patient safety goes beyond the availability of healthcare facilities. It includes prevention, early detection, accurate diagnosis, safe use of medicines, effective communication between health workers and patients, proper follow up and continuity of care.
For residents, the observance is a reminder of the importance of taking preventive healthcare seriously. Regular medical check ups, appropriate monitoring of blood pressure and blood sugar, adherence to prescribed treatment, healthy lifestyles and prompt medical attention can help prevent complications and improve health outcomes.
For the state government, the occasion also highlights the need to strengthen primary healthcare, improve referral systems, support healthcare workers and expand access to specialised care across the state.
As Anambra continues to pursue its development objectives, protecting the health and safety of its people remains essential. A population with access to safe and quality healthcare is better positioned to learn, work and contribute to the social and economic development of the state.
The message of World Patient Safety Day is therefore straightforward: healthcare should not only be available, but also safe, timely, respectful and people centred.
Chizoba Vivian Anazonwu is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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