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Ain Shams University Hospitals celebrated World Patient Safety Day, coinciding with the global observance held annually on September 22. The event was held under the patronage of Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, and Prof. Ali El-Anwar, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Chairman of the University Hospitals Board.

The celebration was officially inaugurated by Prof. Tarek Youssef, Executive Director of Ain Shams University Hospitals, and was attended by several prominent figures, including Prof. Ahmed Taher, President of the General Authority for Healthcare Accreditation and Regulation (GAHAR), Prof. Reham El-Assady, Patient Safety Advisor at the World Health Organization (WHO), and Prof. Ehab Shahad, Head of the Department of Healthcare Quality.

Prof. Ahmed Taha welcomed attendees and emphasized that patient safety is an issue that concerns every member of society, stating: "Today, we are healthcare providers; tomorrow, we may be patients receiving care." A remark underscoring that the safety of healthcare services is a shared responsibility that affects everyone.

He also expressed his gratitude and appreciation to all participants in the event, noting that the enactment of laws and regulations related to patient safety aims primarily to reduce medical errors, which cost healthcare systems enormous financial burdens.

Prof. Taha further referenced World Bank reports, which highlight that minimizing medication errors alone could significantly transform the state of healthcare services, particularly in resource-limited countries.

He emphasized the importance of implementing the safety standards set by the General Authority for Accreditation and Healthcare (GAHAR), which are a primary reference for healthcare providers. He explained that adhering to procedures such as correct medication prescription, controlling dosages and treatment durations, and implementing infection control protocols can save thousands of lives.

He praised the achievements of Ain Shams University Hospitals in the field of hospital accreditation, appreciating the Geriatric Hospital's accreditation as the first university hospital to achieve this feat, followed by Ain Shams Hospital in Obour. This reflects wise leadership and dedicates sincere efforts to achieve the highest quality standards.

He concluded his speech by emphasizing that establishing a strong culture of patient safety is a true investment in the future of future generations, noting that the quality standards adopted by the Healthcare Authority affirm the right of every newborn and every child to receive safe care that preserves their life and health.

Prof. Tarek Youssef, Executive Director of University Hospitals, opened his speech by welcoming Professor Dr. Ahmed Taha, Chairman of the General Authority for Health Accreditation and Supervision (GAHSR), appreciating his efforts and leadership in supporting the quality process and implementing safety standards within the healthcare system. He also welcomed the members of the GAHSR Board of Directors, Prof. Maha El-Tahawy, Prof. Wael El-Drandali, and Prof. Walaa Abdel Latif.

He emphasized that patient safety is a top priority and a humanitarian mission before being a professional commitment. He praised the efforts of all medical and administrative teams and nursing staff in raising the level of medical services and achieving the highest standards of quality and safety.

He added that the establishment of the GAHSR represents a qualitative addition to the healthcare system in Egypt, enhancing the value of quality and instilling a culture of hard work, in addition to spreading awareness of the authority's policies and their direct impact on improving the safety of both patients and healthcare providers.

He pointed out that Ain Shams University Hospitals are distinguished by their Healthcare Quality Department, which has extensive experience in implementing healthcare improvement projects in collaboration with various entities. He expressed his pride in the hospitals' quality teams and central quality management, as well as the ongoing cooperation between all hospital departments, due to their ongoing efforts to improve patient services.

Prof. Reham El-Assady, Patient Safety Advisor at the World Health Organization, expressed her happiness and pride at being at Ain Shams University, praising the remarkable development in the culture of patient safety in Egypt. Delivering her speech on behalf of Professor Nema Abed, WHO Representative in Egypt, she welcomed the attendees and expressed her gratitude and appreciation for all efforts supporting patient safety. She emphasized that patient safety is not just a slogan, but rather a duty and responsibility to preserve the health of individuals, especially children, from the beginning of their lives.

She pointed to the significant global progress in reducing mortality rates, noting that Egypt has achieved tangible progress in reducing child mortality in recent years. She also called for effective action at the university and hospital level to promote scientific research in the field of patient and child safety, intensify specialized academic programs such as the Patient Safety Diploma in cooperation with the General Authority for Accreditation and Health Supervision (GAHAR), and integrate patient safety modules into medical curricula and train doctors in various specialties.

She also emphasized the importance of empowering families and local communities and strengthening accreditation frameworks and health policies, emphasizing that every child in Egypt deserves a safe start and the opportunity to learn and thrive without being exposed to any harm or disease. This is what the state seeks to achieve as a tangible reality, not just a theoretical goal.

The celebration was held under the supervision of the Healthcare Quality Department and the Central Quality Management Department. It included a scientific day that included awareness-raising and educational activities targeting medical teams, students, and hospital visitors, as well as a poster exhibition on patient safety goals and how to achieve patient safety, with the aim of spreading a culture of safety and quality in healthcare service provision.

In the presence of Dr. Sara Ibrahim, Director of the Central Quality Management Department, and Dr. Sherine El-Masry, Director of Infection Control, and a group of general hospital directors and quality unit directors at Ain Shams University Hospitals.

With the participation of quality units at university hospitals, including the Children's Hospital, the Internal Medicine Hospital, the Geriatric Hospital, the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Hospital, the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, the Surgery Hospital, and Ain Shams Hospital in Obour.

These celebrations reflect the ongoing efforts of Ain Shams University Hospitals to enhance safety and quality standards in healthcare, with the aim of providing a safe environment for both patients and healthcare workers.