The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that people living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) face a heightened risk of preventable harm while receiving healthcare. According to WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, a new analysis estimates that about one in six people with NCDs experience preventable harm during care. This warning comes as Uganda debates the circumstances surrounding the delayed diagnosis of the late Tooro King, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who died of cancer in the United States on August 27, aged 34.
Princess Ruth Komuntale, King Oyo's sister, revealed that he had spent over a year seeking medical attention in Uganda for persistent pain but did not receive the correct diagnosis. Some of his symptoms were initially attributed to strenuous exercise or ulcers, and he was advised to undergo physical therapy. It was only later that Oyo was diagnosed with angiosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. His death has renewed questions about diagnostic errors and patient safety in Uganda's health system.
Health experts have attributed diagnostic errors to several factors, including cognitive biases among health professionals, systemic gaps, limited equipment, and the presence of unqualified personnel. Dr. Tedros emphasized that cases such as delayed diagnosis, wrong medication, unsafe procedures, and poor communication can have serious consequences for people receiving care for chronic diseases. He stressed that safe care must be built into every stage of the care journey, from prevention and early diagnosis to treatment, long-term management, and self-care.
The WHO estimate of preventable harm among people with NCDs is about three times higher than estimates of harm among people receiving healthcare for any reason. Dr. Tedros added that people living with NCDs often require continuous care across multiple settings and over long periods, creating multiple points where safety risks can arise. Noncommunicable diseases include cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases.
World Patient Safety Day, observed on September 17, focuses on safe care for noncommunicable diseases. The campaign, with the slogan "Safe care for life!", brings together governments, partners, and communities to focus attention on patient safety and accelerate action to reduce avoidable harm in healthcare. This year's campaign calls for patient safety to be addressed throughout the entire care journey, including prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, long-term management, and self-care.
The WHO estimates that globally, one in 10 patients is harmed during healthcare, with about half of that harm considered preventable. The organization is calling for people living with NCDs and communities to be involved in identifying safety risks and developing solutions with health workers, health institutions, and policymakers. This approach aims to reduce preventable harm and improve patient safety in healthcare.
The delayed diagnosis of King Oyo's cancer has sparked a national conversation about patient safety and diagnostic errors in Uganda's healthcare system. As the country reflects on the circumstances surrounding his death, the WHO's warning serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing patient safety, particularly for those living with noncommunicable diseases. By working together, stakeholders can reduce preventable harm and ensure that patients receive high-quality care.
Key points
- The WHO estimates that one in six people with noncommunicable diseases experience preventable harm during care.
- Diagnostic errors in Uganda's healthcare system have been attributed to cognitive biases, systemic gaps, limited equipment, and unqualified personnel.
- The WHO is calling for patient safety to be addressed throughout the entire care journey, including prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, long-term management, and self-care.
