The West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP) has sounded the alarm on the high risks faced by newborns and children in healthcare settings, emphasising the need for prioritised patient safety.

This call was made during a press conference in commemoration of the 2025 World Patient Safety Day in Abuja, with the theme ‘Safe care for every newborn and every child’ and the slogan ‘Patient safety from the start.’

In a press briefing on Wednesday, the Zonal Coordinator of WAPCP FCT Abuja Zone, Dr. Abubakar Danraka, lamented that newborns and children face disproportionately high risks of harm in healthcare, especially in Intensive Care Units, surgical settings, and during medication administration.

Research shows that up to 97 per cent of adverse events in neonatal care are preventable, and many such harms stem from unsafe childbirth, infections, diagnostic delays, and medication errors.

He noted that patient safety risks in Nigerian healthcare settings are similar to those seen elsewhere, with common adverse events including medication errors, surgical errors, diagnostic errors, and healthcare-associated infections.

Danraka added that consultant pharmacists have played a crucial role in promoting patient safety through medication reviews, verifying prescriptions, and educating healthcare teams and patients.

The college commended eight federal agencies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for appointing consultant pharmacists, which has enhanced patient safety standards and fostered collaborative efforts in pharmaceutical care.

The WAPCP urged all healthcare institutions to appoint consultant-level pharmacists to promote holistic patient safety.

Danraka noted that by prioritizing patient safety, lives can be saved, and lifelong health outcomes can be strengthened.

The WAPCP called on the Federal Ministry of Health and other health-focused institutions to prioritize patient safety in Nigeria to reduce medical mistakes and enhance healthcare outcomes.

The college also urged the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to step up advocacy and implementation of the Patients’ Bill of Rights across the federation, so that patients and caregivers can know their rights and hold relevant stakeholders accountable.