Principal Secretary for Administration in the Ministry of Health, Bestone Chisamile, has urged Malawians to adopt healthy lifestyles to prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Chisamile said this in Lilongwe during the 2026 World Patient Safety Day Commemorations, which began with a big walk from Sana Mega Store to Kamuzu Central Hospital.
He said NCDs account for about 40 percent of deaths in Malawi, making it important for patients to receive proper diagnosis, the right medication and continued medical care.
World Health Organisation Representative Dr. Charles Njuguna said health workers need to remain vigilant when diagnosing and treating patients with conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and cancer to prevent avoidable harm.
Director of Programmes and Patient Support Services at the Patient and Community Welfare Foundation of Malawi, Godfrey Taonga Banda, said although efforts to improve patient safety are being made, gaps remain in reporting safety concerns, particularly at community level.
World Patient Safety Day is commemorated annually on 17 September to raise awareness of patient safety and promote action to prevent avoidable harm during healthcare.
This year’s theme is “Safe Care for Noncommunicable Diseases,” under the slogan “Safe Care for Life!”
By Glory Chinyanga
