Cairo: Health and Population Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar said Egypt has made major strides in patient safety, as the government marked World Patient Safety Day 2025 with a national event held in Cairo on Sunday under the theme ‘Patient Safety from the Start.’
According to State Information Service Egypt, at the event organized in cooperation with the General Authority for Healthcare Accreditation and Regulation (GAHAR) and the World Health Organization (WHO), Abdel Ghaffar highlighted Egypt’s efforts that have earned international recognition, including a dedicated chapter in the WHO’s latest report commending the integration of safety standards into Egypt’s health reform agenda.
The minister detailed the launch of a national strategy built around four pillars: legislative and institutional reform, capacity building, applied initiatives, and research and innovation. He emphasized the recent enactment of the 2025 Medical Responsibility and Patient Safety Law as a significant milestone, noting it strikes a balance between patient rights and provider protection, and encourages reporting of medical errors to foster continuous improvement.
Abdel Ghaffar noted that over 21,600 medical professionals have received training in patient safety and risk management. Egypt has launched its first national professional diploma in collaboration with the WHO and other health institutions. He also announced that three healthcare facilities in Egypt had been designated as ‘Patient Safety Friendly Hospitals’ under a joint initiative with WHO, and that a smart national system using AI is being developed to report and predict adverse events.
He mentioned that Egypt introduced a unified national guideline for patient safety in neonatal units to provide safe care from birth. A national program has also been initiated to engage patients and families in care decisions and improve the patient experience.
Presidential health advisor Awad Tag El-Din emphasized that patient safety is now central to Egypt’s broader healthcare development, with improvements in sterilization, infection control, and drug safety. He highlighted the importance of protecting healthcare workers, especially during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ashraf Hatem, head of the parliamentary health committee, stated that recent legislation, including the comprehensive health insurance law and the medical liability law, reinforces the country’s patient safety agenda.
Ahmed Taha, head of GAHAR, remarked that the event underscores Egypt’s commitment to healthcare quality and accreditation, and the authority’s ongoing support for facilities in meeting international safety standards and improving patient care.
WHO Representative in Egypt Dr. Nima Saeed Abid praised Egypt’s efforts, acknowledging the significant progress in embedding safety and quality standards across its healthcare system, from legislation to clinical practice.
The event concluded with a cooperation protocol signing between GAHAR and the Ministry of Health and Population to support joint training, unify safety standards, and develop national clinical guidelines. Several institutions were honored for their contributions to patient safety, including the Saudi German Hospital, the Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation, and the Al-Gam’iya Al-Shar’iya neonatal care program.