News

In celebration of World Patient Safety Day, established by the World Health Organization to raise awareness and unite efforts toward safer healthcare, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute organized a comprehensive awareness lecture under the patronage of Prof. Dr. Ahmed Abdel Aziz, Director of the Institute and Chairman of the Board of Directors.

The lecture, entitled “Patient Safety: The Cornerstone of Healthcare Quality”, highlighted the Institute’s pioneering role in supporting the healthcare system and advancing safe practices within medical institutions.

Dr. Omar Helmy, Director of the Infection and protection Control (IPC) Unit,  delivered the lecture, reviewing key aspects of patient rights and safety. He underscored infection prevention as the foundation of a safe and effective treatment environment, emphasizing the importance of preventing hospital-acquired infections, reducing medical errors, fostering a culture of reporting, rational use of antibiotics, strict adherence to isolation and sterilization protocols, and engaging patients and their families in care planning.

Dr. Helmy noted that more than half of patient harm is preventable through continuous training of medical teams, compliance with surgical safety checklists, and the use of electronic systems in medication and prescription management to minimize errors. He stressed that patient safety begins with simple measures such as hand hygiene, sterilization of instruments, and ensuring accurate prescriptions—measures that represent the first line of defense in patient protection.

In his remarks, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Abdel Aziz reaffirmed that patient safety is central to the Institute’s mission. He highlighted the Institute’s commitment to implementing the highest quality standards and international healthcare protocols, supported by an integrated hospital system and an advanced central sterilization unit that ensure a safe and efficient treatment environment. He added that celebrating World Patient Safety Day reflects the Institute’s commitment to raising awareness not only among medical professionals but also among patients and their families, recognizing the patient as a vital partner in healthcare.

The event was organized by Prof. Dr. Gehan Labib, Professor of Parasitology, in collaboration with the Technical Office, ensuring the Institute’s active participation in this global occasion. With this initiative, the Theodor Bilharz Research Institute reaffirms its professional and societal responsibility, stressing that protecting patients and enhancing their safety is a shared duty, and that continuous training and robust infection control systems are key to delivering safe and effective healthcare—fully aligned with the World Health Organization’s vision and the goals of sustainable development.