Botswana joined the global community in commemorating Patient Safety Day 2024 with a press briefing under the theme, "Improving Diagnosis for Patient Safety," accompanied by the slogan, "Get it Right, Make it Safe." The event focused on raising awareness of diagnostic errors, which are a significant contributor to patient harm, and highlighted the collective responsibility of healthcare stakeholders in ensuring safer care.

Addressing the media, Dr.Mareko Ramotsababa, Secretary for Primary Health, underscored the Ministry of Health’s dedication to improving diagnostic accuracy. He emphasized that patient safety is a fundamental human right and an essential pillar of a robust healthcare system.“Timely and accurate diagnosis is the cornerstone of effective treatment and positive health outcomes,” said Dr. Ramotsababa. He outlined measures being taken to strengthen Botswana’s healthcare system, including comprehensive patient evaluations, adopting advanced diagnostic technologies, and implementing systems to monitor and address diagnostic errors. He further urged policymakers to prioritize patient safety by allocating resources, defining clear standards, and fostering a culture of accountability. Dr. Ramotsababa also called on patients to actively participate in their care, asking questions and seeking clarity to ensure informed decision-making.

Dr. Juliet Bataringaya, the Officer in Charge at WHO Botswana, commended the Ministry of Health for its steadfast commitment to patient safety. She highlighted the global burden of unsafe care, noting that more than three million deaths occur annually due to preventable errors, with diagnostic issues accounting for 16% of these incidents. "Diagnostic errors, whether missed, delayed, or incorrect, pose significant risks to patients, leading to prolonged illness, disability, and even death,” Dr. Bataringaya explained. She emphasized the importance of adopting strategies from the Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021-2030 to reduce diagnostic errors and improve care quality. Dr. Bataringaya also highlighted key WHO-supported initiatives such as the Stepwise Laboratory Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA) and the regional microbiology external quality assessment program, which aim to strengthen laboratory services and improve diagnostic accuracy. As part of its broader healthcare strategy, Botswana has completed the development of the Patient and Healthcare Providers Charters and implemented quality management strategies aligned with global best practices.

Dr. Ramotsababa concluded the event by reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to the Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2019-2030 and called for collective action among stakeholders to make patient safety a top priority. This year’s Patient Safety Day serves as a reminder of the shared responsibility of healthcare providers, policymakers, and patients in ensuring safer care. Botswana’s proactive approach positions it as a leader in the regional and global effort to reduce diagnostic errors and improve health outcomes.