Speaking at a panel discussion in Accra to mark World Patient Safety Day, Dr Twumasi said medications should be stored in their original containers and locked away, out of the reach of children.
She advised parents to read and follow the information on medication leaflets to guide safe administration, emphasising that sharing medicines among children could expose them to harmful risks.

“It’s not good to share medicines among children. When you share, you risk making a mistake with the medication, because you are not sure of the exact dose to administer or how long to give it,” Dr Twumasi cautioned.

Madam Claudia Wireko-Brobbey, Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Manager at FOCOS, also urged parents and caregivers to practise holistic hand washing hygiene at home.
She encouraged the sterilisation of feeding bottles before and after use and emphasised washing hands with soap under running water after diaper changes instead of relying on wipes.

Dr Francis Addai, Head of Medical Services at FOCOS, called on health facilities to prioritise patient safety by correctly identifying patients, improving communication among healthcare professionals, and safeguarding the use of high-alert medications.
He said they should also ensure surgical safety, preventing healthcare-associated infections, and minimising the risk of patient falls.

“Safe care is our collective responsibility. We need to promote a healthcare system that encourages effective communication between patients and healthcare workers,” Dr Charlyene Kilba, a Paediatrician at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, said.
She urged the public to avoid attributing spiritual causes to medical conditions, warning that such beliefs often lead to delays in seeking proper healthcare.

This year’s World Patient Safety Day, observed on the theme: “Safe Care for Every Newborn and Every Child”, highlights the lifelong consequences a single safety incident could have on a child’s health and development.

The campaign, themed around the slogan, “Patient Safety from the Start!”, calls for urgent and consistent action to prevent harm in childhood, with a focus on newborns to nine-year-olds.

The World Health Organisation is urging parents, caregivers, health professionals, educators, and communities to work together to prevent avoidable harm in paediatric care and to build a safer, healthier future for every child, as part of efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal Three.