The Ministry of Health (MOH), represented by the Directorate General of the Quality Assurance Center (DGQAC), celebrated today (Tuesday), the 7th National and 6th Global Patient Safety Day, which is observed annually on September 17th. 
The celebration was held under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Mansour Zahir al-Hajri, a member of the Shura Council representing the Wilayat of Bidiya and Chairman of the Health & Social Committee of the Shura Council, along with the presence of Dr. Qamra Said al-Sariri, DGQAC Director General, at The Avenues Mall in Muscat.
This year's event is held under the theme "Improving Diagnosis for Patient Safety," as designated by the World Health Organization.
The celebration program included the opening of an exhibition of scientific papers on diagnostic treatment.
This year’s September events highlight the importance of accurate and appropriate diagnosis to improve patient safety. Addressing diagnostic errors early involves various structural and cognitive factors. These activities aim to enhance collaboration between patients, healthcare workers, and healthcare leaders to ensure the delivery of safe and effective healthcare.
The National Patient Safety Month activities began on September 1st with awareness events through social media platforms focused on empowering patients, followed by a scientific exhibition on diagnostic treatment at The Avenues Mall in Muscat on September 17th and 18th. A workshop on diagnostic treatment standards in the Omani National Accreditation System will also be organized, along with a scientific debate on traditional diagnosis using artificial intelligence on September 19th of the same month.

As part of the World Patient Safety Day celebration, intensive awareness campaigns involving governorates and hospitals will be organized. These campaigns will feature educational events, visual presentations, exhibitions, and educational messages aimed at both the community and healthcare workers. In collaboration with the relevant central directorates, the General Directorate of the Quality Assurance Center at the Ministry will carry out these initiatives throughout September.
Additionally, healthcare buildings and landmarks across various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman have been illuminated in orange, symbolizing the celebration of World Patient Safety Day.
The Ministry of Health aims to raise global awareness about diagnostic errors through these events, emphasizing the importance of accurate and timely diagnosis and safety as fundamental steps toward improving the quality of healthcare and prioritizing patient safety.
The theme for this year, 2024, "Improving Diagnosis for Patient Safety," with the slogan " Get It Right, Make It Safe," was chosen to highlight the importance of accurate and timely diagnosis to ensure patient safety and improve health outcomes. It also aims to prioritize diagnostic safety within patient safety policies and clinical practice at all levels of healthcare, aligning with the Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021-2030. 
Furthermore, the theme seeks to enhance collaboration among policymakers, healthcare leaders, healthcare workers, patient care organizations, and other stakeholders in developing the concept of accurate and timely diagnosis. This includes empowering patients and their families to actively engage with healthcare workers and leaders to improve diagnostic processes and patient involvement in diagnostic treatment through social media platforms.