The World Health Organization (WHO) in Botswana and the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW) commemorated the World Patient Safety Day 2021  "Safe maternal and newborn care" by organizing activities in Maun, which, with a population of 55,784 people is the fifth-largest town in the country.

Under the headline “Act now for safe and respectful childbirth”, this year's commemorative theme focuses on the harm women and newborns are exposed to due to unsafe care during pregnancy and post-delivery. Furthermore, it reveals how women's experiences during childbirth are affected by issues of gender equity and gender violence.

Addressing participants at the commemorative event hosted in the Ngami district of Botswana, Dr Edwin Dikoloti, Minister of Health and Wellness stated that the occasion is "dedicated to increasing patient safety awareness, as well as to encourage people to show their commitment to making health care safe". Minister Dikoloti also noted that the commemoration offers an opportunity to reflect on our efforts and progress towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage and especially the aspirations of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 - Good Health and Wellbeing. 

WHO reports that globally an estimated 810 women die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. In addition, around 6700 newborns die every day, amounting to 47% of all under-5 deaths. In Botswana, the maternal mortality ratio per 100,000 live births is 133.7 (Statistics Botswana, 2018), far above the target of 94 by 2020. With 42/1,000 children who die before they reach 5 years old (WB, 2019), Botswana doesn’t meet the national target of 29 by 2020.

WHO Country Representative  Dr Josephine Namboze noted the significant challenges affecting women as patients. "They face physical and verbal abuse and exclusion from decision-making about their care. For instance, during childbirth, pregnant women are often denied the choice of having a birth companion present or to deliver in their preferred birthing position". She further added that "the newborn rights to quality care are largely unattended". 

Dr Sandra Maripe, Head of the Ngami DHMT emphasized the progress that had been achieved over the years to reduce cases of maternal mortality in the district. "From once the third leading district with a maternal mortality ratio of 321 per 100,000 live births in 2016, we have managed to reduce significantly the maternal deaths in the past four years, below the national record of the ratio 166 in 2019", Dr Maripe explained to the attendants. 

Improving maternal health is one of WHO's key priorities. WHO works to contribute to the reduction of maternal mortality by increasing research evidence, providing evidence-based clinical and programmatic guidance. WHO also works towards setting global standards and providing technical support to the Government of Botswana on developing and implementing effective policy and programs on maternal health. Additionally, this year WHO launched the WHO Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021–2030 as an indicator of the organization's commitment towards improving and ensuring patient safety is in health service delivery globally. 

In her closing remarks at the event in Maun, Dr Namboze said that "by engaging patients as partners in the provision of quality care, health systems will make tangible progress towards Universal Health Coverage". Lastly, she encouraged all governments, civil societies, health workers and communities to "speak up for patient safety and to act now for safe and respectful childbirth".