World Patient Safety Day: Medicover Hospitals Highlights the Importance of Safe Chronic Disease Management

Bengaluru: On the occasion of World Patient Safety Day, Medicover Hospitals, Hoodi, Bengaluru, is organising a special awareness for patients, their families and healthcare professionals, with a focus on making the care of chronic diseases safer at every stage.

Aligned with this year’s global theme, “Safe Care for Non-Communicable Diseases,” the programme will raise awareness about patient safety in the management of long-term health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, stroke and chronic respiratory diseases.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are among the leading causes of death in India. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately one in every ten patients receiving healthcare may experience harm during care, and nearly half of such incidents are considered preventable. Patients living with chronic conditions are particularly exposed to safety risks because they require frequent healthcare visits, complex treatment plans, multiple medications and transitions between different levels of care.

Errors in medication dosage, drug interactions, gaps in follow-up and communication between different healthcare providers are some of the challenges that can affect patient safety.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Naga Srinivas, Senior Consultant Cardiologist, will address the various points at which safety gaps can occur during the treatment of chronic diseases and explain how patients and their families can actively contribute to safer care.

He will emphasise the importance of recognising warning signs early, taking medications exactly as prescribed, regularly recording important health parameters and ensuring that no questions remain unanswered during consultations with doctors.

In cardiac care, in particular, patients often require coordination among multiple specialists and long-term follow-up. Therefore, along with the responsibility of the healthcare team, it is equally important for patients to clearly understand their treatment plan and actively participate in their own care.

‘Ask Your Doctor 5’ Safety Card

As part of the initiative, the hospital will introduce and distribute an “Ask Your Doctor 5” safety card to patients. The card encourages patients to ask these five important questions during every doctor consultation:

1.  What is this medicine for, and exactly how should I take it?
2.  Could this medicine interact with any of the other medicines I am taking?
3.  What warning signs should prompt me to come to the hospital immediately?
4.  Which health parameters or numbers should I regularly monitor and record at home?
5.  When is my next follow-up, and what should I do if I miss it?

The safety card will also be extended to NCD patients receiving treatment across various Outpatient Departments (OPDs) of the hospital in the coming days.

Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Naga Srinivas, Senior Consultant Cardiologist, said:

“Most problems in the treatment of chronic diseases do not occur inside the operating room. Safety gaps can arise between the doctor prescribing a medication and the patient obtaining or taking it, during the transition of care from one specialist to another, and in the period between hospital discharge and the next follow-up visit. Bridging these gaps is everyone’s responsibility. A patient who is well-informed about their treatment is our strongest safety shield.”

The programme will also highlight the importance of disease prevention and healthy lifestyle practices. Patients and families will be educated about the benefits of a balanced diet, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, stress management, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and undergoing regular health check-ups.

The initiative will reinforce the message that “Preventing a disease is safer than treating it after it occurs.”

In line with the 2026 World Health Organization message, “Safe care for life!”, the programme reflects Medicover Hospitals’ commitment to strengthening patient-centred, transparent and accountable healthcare across its network, while encouraging patients to become active partners in their own safety and care.