WORLD PATIENT SAFETY DAY : LAGOS STRENGTHENS COMMITMENT TO PROTECT CHILDREN AND NEWBORNS
WORLD PATIENT SAFETY DAY : LAGOS STRENGTHENS COMMITMENT TO PROTECT CHILDREN AND NEWBORNS
The Lagos State Government has restated its firm resolve to protect mothers, infants, and children from preventable harm, joining the rest of the world to commemorate the 2025 World Patient Safety Day.
Speaking at the event on Wednesday held at NECA House, Alausa, Ikeja, with the theme: “Safe Care for Every Newborn and Every Child”, the Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Health, Hon. Lawal Musbau, maintained that prioritizing patients safety requires collective commitment of government, health care providers, professional bodies and the general public.
He promised that the Lagos State House of Assembly will strengthen laws, policies and its over sight functions towards promoting safety of all residents.
He described the celebration as a timely reminder to strengthen accountability and embed safety as a culture across all levels of healthcare delivery.
Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi,
In her address at the event , the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, said that the theme underscored Lagos State’s determination to make safe beginnings the standard for all children.
“Safety for our children is not negotiable,” she said. “This is about hope, shared responsibility, and systems that ensure no child suffers harm due to unsafe care. Our duty is to ensure that from the very start of life, every Lagos child is given a safe chance to thrive.”
Dr. Ogunyemi highlighted state interventions such as tighter regulation of health facilities, investments in infrastructure, workforce training, and the adoption of innovative models of care. She urged health workers, schools, families, and faith-based organisations to serve as champions of patient safety in their communities.
The Chairman of the Governing Board of the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), Dr. Yemisi Solanke-Koya, described the day as an opportunity to reflect and renew commitments.
“Our responsibility is to guarantee that no family bears the pain of avoidable harm caused by unsafe practices,” she said. “We must use today’s conversations as a launchpad for stronger systems, bolder reforms, and a renewed culture of safety across all healthcare facilities.”
Solanke-Koya applauded Lagos State’s prioritisation of patient safety within its health reforms and recognised frontline workers and partners for their contributions.
Dr Abiola Idowu
On her part, HEFAMAA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Abiola Idowu, urged practitioners and communities alike to recommit to protecting vulnerable populations. She stressed that patient safety is both a medical obligation and a moral duty.
“Every child protected today is a future secured for tomorrow,” Idowu said. “Patient safety must go beyond medical procedures to include environments that respect dignity, prevent complications, and guarantee timely interventions. Safe care is not only a priority—it is an investment in stronger families and healthier societies.”
Dr. Idowu further noted that the year’s theme aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ agenda, which elevates the health and wellbeing of Lagos residents as a core priority.
World Patient Safety Day, commemorated every September 17, rallies global action towards safer healthcare. In Lagos, the 2025 edition featured a symposium, panel discussions, and recognition of champions who continue to drive safer practices in maternal and child health.