Evidence shows that when patients are treated as partners in their care, significant gains are made in safety, patient satisfaction and health outcomes. By becoming active members of the health care team, patients can contribute to the safety of their care and that of the health care system as a whole. For five years running, the Ghana Health Service has galvanized the improvement community in Ghana to celebrate World Patient Safety Day on September 17.

This year, a board member of the Ubora Institute, Dr Sodzi-Sodzi Tettey was honored to moderate the first plenary panel on the theme “Engaging patients, their families and communities for patient safety.”

In his remarks he stated “we had enlightening discussions, featuring Yvonne Ohui McCarthy, President of the Institute of Customer Service Professionals, speaking to the service in health, Dr. Divine Ndonbi Banyubala, Registrar of Ghana’s Medical and Dental Council, addressing the existing legal frameworks and gaps within the context of patient rights, and Pharm. Bernard Badu Bediako, Amansie West District Director of Health Services, speaking to the impact of stakeholder engagement and community sensitization on networks of practice and client care.”

Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey has been a critical architect of the overarching vision of a sustainable Africa-based Quality Institute working in strategic partnership with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and other partners. He is the Vice President - Global at Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). Patient and family engagement was embedded in the Resolution WHA72.6 – “Global action on patient safety” and the Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021-2030 as main strategies for moving towards eliminating avoidable harm in health care.

World Patient Safety Day is one of WHO’s global public health days. It was established in 2019 by the 72nd World Health Assembly through the adoption of resolution WHA72.6 – “Global action on patient safety”. Its objectives are to increase public awareness and engagement, enhance global understanding, and work towards global solidarity and action by Member States to enhance patient safety and reduce patient harm.