Patient safety from the start!
Every newborn and child deserves care that is safe, compassionate and tailored to their needs. World Patient Safety Day 2025 — marked on 17 September — focuses on ensuring safe care for every newborn and child, especially between birth to age 9.
Under the theme Patient safety from the start, the campaign highlights the urgent need to protect children from harm by improving safety at every stage of early care.
WHO calls on parents, caregivers, health practitioners, health care leaders, educators and communities to unite to prevent avoidable harm in paediatric care and build a safer, healthier future for every child.
Investing in safe care for children doesn't just save lives, it lays the foundation for a healthier future across their entire life course. It is an essential part of global efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.
Speak up. Listen closely. Share knowledge. Prevent harm.
Country success stories
Campaign key messages
Children aren’t small adults. They require individualized safe care.
Children need care that fits them—their age, weight, developmental stage, medical needs, ability to communicate and specific context.
Safety first, always and in every health care setting.
Children are most at risk in intensive care and during complex treatments. Protecting them from unsafe care must come first.
The most common causes of harm are known.
These include errors with medications and diagnosis, infections caught during care, problems with medical equipment, such as tubes or monitors, and missed warning signs when a child’s condition starts getting worse.
Safer care depends on safe systems and teamwork.
Well-designed systems, supported staff and engaged caregivers keep children safe. Every voice counts.
