On September 17th, KAPI reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to patient safety, focusing on the critical theme “Safe care for every newborn and child” for World Patient Safety Day 2025. Recognizing the unique vulnerabilities of pediatric and neonatal patients, KAPI launched a comprehensive initiative to raise awareness, educate, and drive meaningful change in healthcare safety.
The month-long campaign began with a targeted university outreach session at USIU SHS Rooftop on September 12th, engaging future healthcare professionals in critical conversations about patient safety. This strategic engagement aimed to inspire and mentor the next generation of healthcare providers, emphasizing the importance of protecting the most vulnerable patients.
A pivotal webinar on September 17th brought together key stakeholders from the Hospital Pharmacists Association of Kenya (HOPAK) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya. The event delved deep into the critical challenges surrounding medication safety for children, highlighting a sobering reality: potentially harmful medication errors are three times more common in pediatric populations compared to adults.
The World Health Organization estimates that one in four patients experiences harm during healthcare, with children being particularly at risk. This stark statistic underscores the complexity of medication use in pediatric care, which spans diverse age groups from premature neonates to adolescents, each with unique physiological and healthcare requirements.
Complementing these awareness efforts, KAPI conducted a specialized learning summit focused on pharmacovigilance. The summit equipped healthcare professionals with crucial knowledge, tools, and regulatory insights necessary to ensure patient safety and compliance in an ever-evolving healthcare landscape.
Throughout these activities, KAPI reached nearly 900 individuals, spreading a message of vigilance, education, and proactive care. The organization’s multifaceted approach addressed key objectives: raising global awareness of safety risks in pediatric and newborn care, mobilizing healthcare organizations to implement sustainable safety strategies, empowering caregivers and families, and advocating for enhanced research in pediatric patient safety.
Every child deserves safe, precise, and compassionate healthcare. As healthcare professionals, parents, and community members, we must remain vigilant, continuously learn, and work together to protect the most vulnerable among us.