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By Samuel Torlumun
A Patient Safety Ambassador at Patient Safety Movement Foundation, and CEO Occupational Health and Safety Managers, Ehi Iden has said medical error is the leading cause of harm, death and disabilities in healthcare centres globally.
According to him, while statistics have indicated that medical errors account for 50% percent of this global health challenge, over $42 billions is lost annually.
Speaking to Apex News Exclusive at the occasion marking World Patient Safety Day in Abuja today, the advocacy expert emphasized the need for robust awareness creation as a means of reducing to the barest minimum the spade of medication harm to the patients.
“What we are doing is to see Nigeria key into to this, even more and to see how we can safeguard our patients while they access healthcare in Nigeria.
“We are looking for away to start. One of the strategies is called Victory Step Approach to Medication Safety.
“Basically, we are advocating for people to know the medication they are taking. Know the name so that even when there is adverse effect, you will be able to know, that was what I took.”
He discountenanced the earlier practice where some hospital will administer medication to patients and cover the name, saying with the current wave of advocacy, that is not going to happen anymore.
“It is the right of the patient to know the name of the medication he is given, and check the root of the medication. Are you going to take it through the mouth, intravenous, anus or veins.
“You have to be sure, and when not sure, ask the physician. These are the things we are looking up to, to ensure we reduce the spade of medication harm towards patients” he explained.
Several Nongovernmental Organizations in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Health observed this year’s World Patient Safety Day with procession at the Ahmadu Way, Abuja.
