News

written by: Mie Mohamed Reda
Photography: Ahmed Magdy

In celebration of World Patient Safety Day, observed annually on September 17, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI) organized a scientific and awareness-raising event under the patronage of Prof. Dr. Ahmed Abdel Aziz, Acting Director of the Institute and Chairman of the Board of Directors. The event was organized by the Community Service and Environmental Development Committee with the aim of raising awareness of patient safety concepts and promoting practices that contribute to the provision of safe healthcare. It also provided patients and healthcare professionals with a range of guidance and recommendations related to patient safety.

The event featured a scientific lecture entitled “Medication Safety and High-Alert Medications,” delivered by Eng. Mohamed Saber Baheeg, Patient Safety Ambassador at the Ministry of Health and Population, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) as part of the Patient Safety Ambassadors Initiative. The lecture addressed a number of concepts and guidelines related to the safe use of medications, with particular emphasis on high-alert medications and ways to reduce medication errors and associated risks.

The event also included a number of awareness-raising activities addressing various aspects of patient safety, including general patient safety, medication safety, surgical safety, and infection prevention and control requirements. These activities involved the preparation and distribution of posters and awareness materials containing simplified information and practical guidance aimed at raising awareness and encouraging active participation in maintaining patient safety.

The event was attended and supported by members of the Community Service and Environmental Development Committee, along with Prof. Dr. Mohamed Maher, Executive Director of the Hospital; Dr. Moshira Amer, Hospital Administrative Director; and Deputy Hospital Directors Dr. Mohamed Ezzat El-Wahsh and Dr. Omar Adly, as well as a number of medical and administrative teams from the Institute.

Representatives of several pharmaceutical companies that contributed to sponsoring the event also participated. Octabiotic was represented by Dr. Hassan Saleh, Regional Sales Manager, and Dr. Shaimaa Abdel Aziz, Regional Sales Distribution Manager, while Biomed was represented by Dr. Tamer Adeeb, Regional Sales Manager, and Dr. Rowida Ahmed, Medical Sales Representative.

For his part, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Abdel Aziz, Director of the Institute, emphasized that patient safety is one of the fundamental pillars of providing safe healthcare. He highlighted the importance of sustaining scientific and awareness-raising efforts that help establish a strong culture of safety among both patients and healthcare providers, while promoting adherence to practices and procedures that minimize risks and support the quality of healthcare.

He added that the Institute’s participation in World Patient Safety Day activities reflects its commitment to raising health awareness, linking scientific knowledge with daily practice, supporting a safer healthcare environment, and strengthening patients’ confidence in the healthcare services provided to them.

This event forms part of the Theodor Bilharz Research Institute’s participation in the global observance of World Patient Safety Day, an occasion that highlights the importance of protecting patients from preventable harm and promoting a culture of safety as a shared responsibility among all stakeholders within the healthcare system.