WHO Flags Urgent Need For Safer Paediatric Care

From missed diagnoses to unsafe delivery practices, from vaccination errors to poorly managed oxygen therapy, the threats to patient safety in paediatric and neonatal care are both numerous and preventable.

On World Patient Safety Day, observed globally on September 17, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reminded governments, health institutions, and communities to take systemic action to address these challenges.

This year, the focus is on the youngest and most vulnerable—newborns and children—under the theme “Safe care for every newborn and every child” and the slogan “Patient safety from the start!”

Dr. Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia, in a statement noted that the region has recorded the largest global decline in under-five and newborn mortality over the past decade. “Yet, this progress masks troubling disparities in the quality of care. Every day, approximately 1,500 newborns die in their first month of life—accounting for nearly 60% of all under-five deaths in the region.

While institutional deliveries have increased, the rate of early neonatal mortality has not kept pace.”

According to the WHO, of the 2.3 million newborn deaths annually, about 15% are attributed to sepsis, with South Asia carrying a significant burden. The region records a culture-positive neonatal sepsis rate of 15.8 per 1,000 live births, with a case fatality rate of 34%. The Lancet Commission on High-Quality Health Systems estimates that 60% of these deaths could be prevented through quality care that prioritises safety, cleanliness, and dignity.

Experts attribute this to inadequate quality of care, including insufficient infection control, undertrained staff, and lack of essential equipment.

To address these gaps, Dr. Boehme stated that the organisation is working closely with member states and partners to strengthen maternal, neonatal, and paediatric safety protocols across all levels of healthcare. This includes providing training and practical tools to enable frontline health workers to identify early warning signs of infection and unsafe practices.

For children are not miniature adults; their needs vary by age, weight, development, and context. Patient safety must be universal. From primary care to paediatric ICUs, safety must be embedded in all health settings, added the statement.

“Emphasis is also being placed on clean and safe delivery practices from the moment of birth, alongside efforts to ensure access to safe medicines and reliable blood supplies through robust regulatory oversight. Additionally, WHO is advocating for the active engagement of families and caregivers as key partners in creating a culture of safety and accountability in care delivery.”

The risks, WHO said, are well-documented—medication and diagnostic errors, healthcare-associated infections, malfunctioning medical devices, and missed warning signs of clinical decline are among the leading causes of avoidable harm.

The WHO reiterated that safer care depends on stronger systems and cohesive teamwork. Well-designed protocols, trained and supported staff, and empowered caregivers form the foundation of a health system where children can thrive without fear of harm.

“No child should be harmed by the care meant to heal them,” the global health body asserted. “It is imperative for all stakeholders to move beyond awareness to meaningful action. From birth through recovery, safety must be embedded at the very core of healthcare.”