As the world marks World Patient Safety Day 2025, on Wednesday September 17, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for urgent action to eliminate avoidable harm in paediatric and newborn care.
This year’s theme, “Safe care for every newborn and every child,” with the slogan “Patient safety from the start!”, highlights the unique vulnerability of children to risks and harm caused by unsafe care.
According to WHO, World Patient Safety Day is not just about raising awareness but also about building partnerships and mobilizing global action to improve safety standards across health systems.
Previous campaigns have focused on safe childbirth, medication safety, health worker protection, patient engagement, and diagnostic safety.
The 2025 objectives include:
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Raising global awareness of safety risks in paediatric and newborn care.
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Mobilizing governments, health institutions, and civil society to adopt sustainable strategies for safer care.
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Empowering parents, caregivers, and children through education and active participation.
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Advocating for stronger research on child and newborn patient safety.
WHO says the commemoration will feature advocacy events, technical discussions, and national campaigns around the world. Iconic landmarks and public spaces will also be illuminated in orange, the signature color of the campaign.
World Patient Safety Day 2025 ultimately reaffirms that every child has the right to safe, quality health care from the very beginning of life.
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