The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, emphasized the importance of patient safety for noncommunicable diseases and highlighted initiatives to strengthen healthcare systems. The national event brought together policymakers, healthcare leaders, and state representatives.
On September 18, 2026, the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, commemorated World Patient Safety Day at the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW) Auditorium in New Delhi. The theme for this year's observance was 'Safe Care for Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs)'.
The national event aimed to strengthen patient safety and quality of care across the continuum of NCD care. It brought together policymakers, healthcare leaders, public health experts, clinicians, quality managers, development partners, and representatives from States and Union Territories.
Addressing the gathering, Smt. Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary & Mission Director (NHM), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, reiterated the Government of India’s commitment to strengthening patient safety, improving quality of care, and building safer health systems across the country. She emphasized that patient safety is a systemic issue, extending beyond individual programs or departments, particularly in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of noncommunicable diseases.
Smt. Patnaik highlighted that nearly 63 per cent of all deaths in India are attributed to NCDs, making patient safety a critical component of healthcare delivery. She stressed the need for strengthening quality and safety practices within healthcare institutions, particularly in patient referrals and continuity of care, to ensure timely access to appropriate services and improved health outcomes.
Calling upon States and Union Territories to accelerate quality improvement efforts, Smt. Patnaik emphasized the need for a clear roadmap and action plan to achieve 100 per cent NQAS certification of Ayushman Aarogya Mandir–Sub Health Centres (AAM-SHCs) by March 2027, followed by certification of Ayushman Aarogya Mandir–Primary Health Centres (AAM-PHCs).
The technical program featured a dedicated seminar on ‘Safe Care for Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs)’, bringing together eminent experts to discuss key patient safety challenges and approaches across the continuum of NCD care. The discussions covered the burden of harm in NCD care, strengthening patient safety in NCD services, leveraging digital health for patient safety, ensuring safe NCD care across clinical pathways with a focus on co-morbidities, and promoting medication safety in NCD care.
India has been strengthening the institutional framework for quality and patient safety through initiatives such as the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) and the National Patient Safety Implementation Framework. The observance of World Patient Safety Day 2026 provided an important platform for bringing together stakeholders, sharing experiences and best practices, and reinforcing a culture of patient safety across all levels of healthcare delivery.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
