The Ministry of Health has urged healthcare providers and the public to make patient safety a priority, warning that mistakes and gaps in care can not only harm patients but also leave families facing unnecessary medical costs.
The warning came yesterday, September 17, 2026, as Tanzania joined the rest of the world in marking World Patient Safety Day, with this year’s focus on the safe management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The global observance, held virtually through a meeting organised by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the President’s Office–Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), was held under the theme “Safe Care for Non-Communicable Diseases” and the slogan “Safe Care for Every Life.”
Speaking during the event, the Ministry’s Director of Medical Services, Dr Hamad Nyembea, said patient safety should be considered throughout the entire healthcare process—from correctly identifying a patient and making a diagnosis to providing appropriate treatment and ensuring follow-up care.
He said the issue was particularly important for people living with NCDs, who often require treatment and monitoring over long periods.
“Patient safety covers every stage of healthcare,” Dr Nyembea said.
He said ensuring that services were available at the right time and closer to where people lived was also part of protecting patients, particularly those who need regular follow-up.
According to Dr Nyembea, shortcomings in healthcare delivery can expose patients to avoidable harm while forcing families to incur additional expenses on repeat tests, medicines or treatment.
“Every patient should be treated with dignity, fairness and safety,” he said.
The ministry’s emphasis comes as NCDs increasingly require health systems to provide sustained care rather than treatment limited to a single hospital visit.
For patients, this means that safety is not only about receiving medicine or undergoing a procedure. It also includes getting the correct diagnosis, receiving the right treatment, understanding how to use medicines and returning for follow-up when required.
Dr Nyembea said the government was continuing to expand access to health services and improve the availability of health information as part of efforts to bring services closer to citizens.
He also cautioned members of the public against taking medicines without professional advice, saying inappropriate use of drugs could cause complications and, in some cases, put lives at risk.
“Proper use of medicines helps prevent harm and save lives,” he said.
The official said the annual observance should not end with the event, but should instead strengthen accountability among healthcare workers and other stakeholders.
He called on health workers to maintain safety and dignity standards while urging patients, families and communities to play their part in promoting safer healthcare.
“Patient safety is everyone’s responsibility,” Dr Nyembea said.
He said cooperation between the government, healthcare workers, patients, families and communities was essential to building a health system that delivers safe, quality and sustainable services to all citizens.