Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar praised the official report issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) on the occasion of World Patient Safety Day, celebrated annually on September 17.
The report highlighted Egypt’s significant efforts to advance patient safety and affirmed the country’s commitment to achieving universal health coverage based on principles of quality, equity, and resilience.
According to the WHO report, Egypt has successfully integrated safety standards into its ongoing health reform efforts, positioning itself as a regional leader in this area.
The report pointed to tangible achievements that have helped restore and strengthen public confidence in the Egyptian healthcare system.
It further noted that Egypt has, within a relatively short period, managed to provide safe and effective healthcare services that uphold patient dignity and align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Spokesman for the Health Ministry Hossam Abdel Ghaffar explained that the ministry launched the Patient Safety Friendly Hospitals Initiative (PSFHI) in collaboration with the WHO.
As part of the initiative, three hospitals were selected as pilot models, laying the groundwork for broader implementation.
The initiative included key activities such as training healthcare workers, developing national assessment tools, conducting regular field visits to identify and mitigate risks, implementing safe childbirth checklists and allocating dedicated budgets for patient safety as part of hospital strategic planning.
The spokesman announced that Phase Two of the initiative will be launched before the end of 2025, expanding its reach to a larger number of hospitals across the country.
This phase will be led by nationally trained evaluation teams, working in alignment with international standards and supported by ongoing technical assistance from the WHO to ensure sustainability and the continuous development of national capacities, he said.
He stressed that the initiative goes beyond improving routine healthcare services, extending to enhancing hospital preparedness for emergencies and crises.
This ensures continuity of essential services while maintaining safety standards, an increasingly critical priority given Egypt’s role as a host for growing numbers of displaced populations from crisis-affected countries, he said.
