By Ibrahim S. Bangura
The Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS), World Health Organization (WHO) with other partners on Monday, September 18, 2023, commemorated the World Patients Safety Day
at the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH) in Freetown.
The commemoration is aimed at elevating the voices of the patients across the world.
World Patient Safety Day is one of WHO global fund health days which is geared towards increasing 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.
According to Dr. Tom Sesay, the Director of Reproductive and Health Care of MoHS, the event reflects the range of health and life stage approach to service delivery the MoHS is promoting in the recognition of the vital role that patients, families and caregivers play in the safety of healthcare. “We can make our patients more comfortable and to better appreciate their experiences when they pass through our health facilities,” said Dr. Sesay.
Dr. Sesay encouraged medical practitioners to always work as one, share ideas together and implement creative solutions that would not affect the patients when seeking healthcare. He said, “If we could work as one and dedicate ourselves to the patients’ safety, we can achieve positive outcomes in reducing maternal and newly born maternity. I thank all our partners including National Quality Management Programme, who have stood by us and made this occasion possible.”
Margaret Titty Mannah, the Program Manager, National Quality Management Programme Directorate, MoHS, said that when patients are consulted and informed about the decisions concerning their care, important gains would be made concerning their safety and satisfaction.
She explained that usually, they regularly hold health education at health facilities to ensure that patients acquire the necessary information about healthcare services and how to manage their health being. “The MoHS has also established Consumer Involvement Curriculum to enable meaningful contact with patients. So, it is very important that we have held this great event. At least, the health givers as well as the patients have learned about their various duties and responsibilities,” Mannah concluded.