World Patient Safety Day is observed annually on September 17. In 2026, the day focuses on one of the most serious health threats: non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which affect billions of people and account for 74% of deaths worldwide. NCDs encompass long-term conditions—such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes—that can develop at any age and often require lifelong monitoring.
In line with the United Nations Political Declaration on NCDs and mental health, combating this category of diseases—including improving the effectiveness of their prevention and long-term treatment—is a global priority. Fulfilling national commitments to tackle NCDs requires ensuring patient access to safe, high-quality medical care.
The delivery of medical care causes harm to one in ten patients worldwide, with approximately half of these cases being preventable. Patients with NCDs face heightened risk because their conditions persist for years, requiring continuous treatment and regular visits to healthcare facilities. Repeated interactions with the healthcare system increase the likelihood of harm over time. For certain conditions, including cancer, adverse events associated with medical care occur in nearly one in three patients. Furthermore, many patients suffer from multiple chronic conditions simultaneously, which further elevates the risk of adverse outcomes.
Accordingly, the 2026 World Patient Safety Day campaign focuses on the safe delivery of care for non-communicable diseases under the slogan "Safe Medical Care Throughout Life!" Campaign organizers are calling for intensified efforts across a wide range of sectors and among stakeholders to prevent harm to patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) during the provision of medical care.
