September 17 marks World Patient Safety Day 2026. This year, the World Health Organization (WHO) has chosen the theme “Safe care for noncommunicable diseases” under the slogan “Safe care for life!
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) — including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases — account for about three in four (74%) of all deaths worldwide. People living with these long-term conditions often require ongoing care across prevention, diagnosis, treatment, self-care, rehabilitation and palliative stages. This repeated and complex interaction with health systems increases their risk of preventable harm.
WHO notes that healthcare-related harm affects approximately 1 in 10 patients globally, with around half of these incidents considered preventable. For those managing NCDs, risks can include diagnostic delays, medication errors, inadequate follow-up, communication gaps during referrals, and challenges arising from fragmented care.
The campaign calls for coordinated action to strengthen primary health care, support health workers, improve medication and diagnostic safety, and meaningfully engage people living with NCDs as partners in their own care. It emphasises that safe care must be available throughout a person’s life, not just at isolated points of contact with the health system.
Activities around the world on and near 17 September include awareness campaigns, policy dialogues, technical events and the traditional lighting of landmarks in orange — the colour of patient safety. WHO urges governments, health systems, professionals, patients, caregivers and communities to work together so that no one is harmed while receiving care for noncommunicable diseases.