As the global healthcare community marks World Patient Safety Day on 17 September, the call for unified efforts to prevent patient harm has reached an unprecedented urgency. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 134 million adverse events occur each year due to unsafe healthcare practices, resulting in more than 3 million preventable deaths. With 1 in 10 patients harmed during their healthcare experience, and over half of these incidents deemed avoidable, patient safety continues to be a critical global issue requiring immediate action.

This year’s theme, "Improving Diagnosis for Patient Safety," highlights the importance of accurate and timely diagnosis in enhancing patient outcomes and well-being. As healthcare systems worldwide strive to mitigate risks, improving diagnosis will play a pivotal role in reducing harm. To further unpack we talk to Bada Pharasi, Chief Executive Officer of the Innovative Pharmaceutical Association of South Africa (IPASA)