The Ministry of Health Development of the Republic of Somaliland, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Taiwan Medical Mission, and the Taiwan HIS Project, held an event in Hargeisa to mark World Patient Safety Day.The event focused on the importance of patient safety, the improvement of healthcare services, and the prevention of health risks, with particular emphasis on non-communicable diseases (NCDs)—such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and other chronic conditions.
Attendees included the Minister of Health Development, Mr. Hussein Bashir Hirsi; the Director General of the Ministry of Health Development, Dr. Ahmed Mohamud Jama; the Director of Hargeisa General Hospital; department directors; Ministry officials; health experts; representatives from the WHO, the Taiwan Medical Mission, and the Taiwan HIS Project; the management and medical staff of Hargeisa Group Hospital; and other distinguished guests.
The event opened with remarks from the Director of the Hospitals Department at the Ministry of Health Development, who addressed the purpose and significance of World Patient Safety Day, while the Ministry’s Director of General Health provided a detailed overview of the occasion.
The event was officially opened by the Minister of Health Development, Mr. Hussein Bashir Hirsi, accompanied by the Director General of the Ministry of Health Development, Dr. Ahmed Mohamud Jama; both spoke at length about the importance of patient safety and the quality of healthcare services.
The officials emphasized that patient safety is a collective responsibility requiring coordinated effort across all sectors of the healthcare system. They also noted that the quality of healthcare services is not measured solely by access to care, but is also evaluated based on safety, quality, effectiveness, and the extent to which the service prioritizes the patient.During the event, data and reports regarding the status of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Somaliland were presented. This information highlighted the need to strengthen prevention, early detection, and management of chronic diseases, while also emphasizing the importance of raising public awareness about the risk factors associated with these conditions.
The World Patient Safety Day event served as a vital platform for reinforcing understanding regarding patient safety, healthcare service quality, and the risks posed by non-communicable diseases. This event also highlighted the importance of collaboration among the Ministry of Health Development, the WHO, the Taiwan Medical Mission, the Taiwan HIS Project, health facilities, and other partners in building a high-quality, safe, effective, and patient-centered health system.
