WHO Chief Tedros Calls for Safe Care for All

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has stressed the importance of patient safety and quality healthcare, particularly for people living with chronic diseases.

If it isn’t safe, it isn’t care.

For people living with heart disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease, care is lifelong. A delayed diagnosis, wrong medicine, unsafe procedure or poor communication can cost lives.

Access to care matters. Safety matters just as… pic.twitter.com/yEins6a2iA

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) September 17, 2026

In a social media message, Tedros highlighted that people with conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease often require lifelong care. He warned that delayed diagnosis, incorrect medication, unsafe medical procedures or poor communication can have serious consequences, including loss of life.

He emphasized that while access to healthcare is essential, safety is equally important. According to Tedros, everyone should have access to safe and reliable healthcare throughout their lives.

The WHO Director-General's message underscores the need for healthcare systems to place patient safety at the centre of diagnosis, treatment, medication, procedures and communication.