MUSCAT: The Ministry of Health has embarked upon its annual programme, Oman Patient Safety Month, on Wednesday.
The ministry will also organize a scientific conference attracting a select group of experts and specialists from within and outside the Sultanate of Oman. The conference will see seventeen scientific papers dealing with the latest medical practices and experiences with the aim of enriching the exchange of expertise and supporting continuous development.
Dr Qamra bint Said al Sariri, Director-General of the Quality Assurance Centre at the Ministry of Health, said: “Since 2021, the month of September has been designated as Oman Patient Safety Month. This year’s theme focuses on safe care for non-communicable diseases, under the slogan ‘Towards Safe Care for Life.’
By organizing the Oman Patient Safety Month, the ministry seeks to deliver a profound message emphasizing that patient safety is a shared responsibility that begins with health policy planning and includes daily clinical practices culminating in the active participation of the patient and their family as partners in health decision-making.”
She noted that the health sector in the Sultanate of Oman has seen remarkable development in the application of quality and patient safety standards by adopting modern systems for reporting medical incidents, enhancing infection control programmes, improving the safety of medication use, developing accurate patient identification, adhering to safe surgical standards as well as investing in digital transformation which has contributed to raising the efficiency of services and reducing medical errors.
She added that the Ministry of Health, represented by the Quality Assurance Centre in cooperation with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, will launch a national initiative this year aimed at unifying efforts at the level of the Sultanate of Oman, spreading awareness, establishing safe practices and strengthening community partnership, in order to raise the level of services provided.
The activities of the Oman Patient Safety Month began with the opening of the health awareness exhibition on September 1 and 2 at the reception hall of the Ministry of Health headquarters. The programme targeted Ministry of Health employees, employees of government institutions, visitors to the ministry and patients. It will extend to all governorates until the end of September, through programmes and activities implemented by the Directorates-General of Health Services.
Text by Yousef al Habsi
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