World Patient Safety Day Conference

Safe Care for Life: Safe Care for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)


Date
September 9 - 11, 2026
Time
7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Location 
Aga Khan University, Centre, 3rd Parklands (In-Person Attendance)
Online (Virtual Attendance)
​Registration Link 
Reg​​ister Here
Programme
Click here to view the programme
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About the Conference

The Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi (AKUHN), is pleased to host the World Patient Safety Day (WPSD) 2026 Conference, a three-day event dedicated to advancing safer care for individuals living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Observed annually on 17 September, World Patient Safety Day is a global initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness of patient safety and promote actions that reduce preventable harm in healthcare. The 2026 theme, “Safe Care for Life: Safe Care for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)”, highlights the importance of delivering safe, coordinated, and patient-centered care across the continuum of care.

NCDs—including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and mental health conditions—are among the leading causes of illness and death globally and in Kenya. Individuals living with these conditions are often exposed to patient safety risks such as delayed diagnosis, medication-related harm, fragmented care, poor care transitions, and inadequate monitoring. Addressing these challenges requires collaboration among healthcare providers, patients, policymakers, regulators, and health system leaders.

Building on the success of the 2025 symposium, which brought together over 370 participants from 54 institutions, the 2026 conference will provide a platform for learning, collaboration, innovation, and practical action to improve safety in NCD care.

Participants will gain practical insights, learn from local and international experts, share experiences, explore innovative approaches to safer NCD care, and contribute to shaping a safer healthcare system for patients across Kenya and the region.

Join us as we work together to advance safe, person-centered, and high-quality care for individuals living with non-communicable diseases.


Conference Objectives

The conference aims to:

  • Raise awareness of patient safety risks associated with NCDs across the continuum of care.

  • Strengthen healthcare worker capacity in diagnostic safety, medication safety, and patient-centered care.

  • Promote meaningful engagement of patients and communities in improving safety.

  • Advance integration of patient safety principles into NCD policies, strategies, and programs.

  • Facilitate knowledge exchange and practical solutions for safer NCD care.


Key Themes

  • The burden of NCDs and patient harm
  • Strengthening primary healthcare for safe NCD care

  • Diagnostic excellence and reducing diagnostic errors

  • Medication safety and high-risk therapies

  • Continuous quality improvement and risk management

  • Patient engagement and shared decision-making

  • Safe transitions of care

  • Data, surveillance systems, and artificial intelligence in patient safety

  • Leadership, workforce development, and health systems strengthening


Who Should Attend?

  • ​Physicians and specialists

  • Nurses and clinical officers

  • Pharmacists and allied health professionals

  • Healthcare managers and administrators

  • County health leaders and policymakers

  • Quality and patient safety professionals

  • Researchers,  and students

  • Community health workers

  • Professional associations and regulatory bodies

  • Insurance and healthcare industry partners




Conference Speakers & Moderators
Speakers, Panelists & Moderators

Conference Programme

Day 1

15 speakers & moderators

Day 1 Programme

Speakers & Panellists

11 people
Speaker

Dr. Muthoni Njuguna

Quality Advisor, AKUHN

Session

Case of the Day: The Cost of a Missed Opportunity – Learning from Unsafe NCD Care

Speaker

Dr. Victoria Kanyiri

Quality Advisor, AKUHN

Session

The Double Burden: NCDs and the Hidden Epidemic of Patient Harm

Speaker

Agnes Thuo

Quality Assurance Manager, MP Shah Hospital

Session

Walking the Patient Journey in NCD Care: Understanding Safety Failures, Equity Gaps, and Coordination Challenges

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo

WHO Representative to Kenya

Session

Keynote Address: Advancing Safe Care for Non-Communicable Diseases: Strengthening Health Systems for Quality, Patient Safety, and the Path Forward

Chief Guest

Ms. Mary Muthoni

Principal Secretary, State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, Ministry of Health

Session

Chief Guest

Speaker

Dr. Elizabeth Wangia

Health Policy, Health Financing Specialist, World Bank

Session

The Price of Harm: The Economic and Human Cost of Unsafe NCD Care

Panellist

Dr. Mercy Mwangangi

Session

Panel Discussion: Who Pays for Safety?

Panellist

Njeri Jomo

CEO, Jubilee Medical Insurance

Session

Panel Discussion: Who Pays for Safety?

Panellist

Dr. Zeinab Gura

CEO, Kenyatta University Teaching Research & Referral Hospital (KUTRRH)

Session

Panel Discussion: Who Pays for Safety?

Panellist

Dr. Kanyenje Gakombe

CEO & Founder, Metropolitan Hospital, Chairman of Kenya Healthcare Federation & Director, Kenya Private Sector Alliance

Session

Panel Discussion: Who Pays for Safety?

Panellist

Dr. Caleb Mike Mulongo

Health Financing Expert, Tunu Consulting Limited

Session

Panel Discussion: Who Pays for Safety?

Moderators

4 people
Moderator

Dr. Beth Githambo

Senior Resident, Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi

Session

Session 1: Understanding The Burden of Unsafe NCD Care

Moderator

Christabel Wesonga

Nursing Director, MCH & AE, AKUHN

Session

Session 3: The Human and Economic Impact of Unsafe NCD Care

Moderator

Dr. Matiko Riro

Health Financing Expert, Co-founder & CEO, Savannah Global Health Institute

Session

Panel Discussion: Who Pays for Safety

Moderator

Dr. Angela Ongewe

Consultant Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologist, AKUHN & Country Representative, CANECSA

Session

Session 2: Understanding the Patient Journey and Health System Response

Conference Programme

Day 2

31 speakers & moderators

General Programme

Moderators

1 person
Moderator

Dr. Beth Githambo

Session

Session 2: Understanding the Patient Journey and Health System Response

Track A

Speakers & Panellists

12 people
Speaker

Teresia Jitwa

Quality Advisor, AKUHN

Session

Case of the Day

Speaker

Mr. Solomon Mwaniki

Project Manager, Public Health Security Unit, Population Health and Environment Directorate

Session

Getting Ahead of Harm: Prevention, Screening, and Community Engagement in NCD Care

Speaker

Dr. Njeri Karianjahi

Consultant Paediatrician & Adolescent Medicine Specialist, Aga Khan University Hospital

Session

From Variation to Reliability: The Role of Evidence-Based Guidelines in Safe NCD Care(Diabetes, CKD, Hypertension)

Panellist

Alice Ngugi

Program Secretary, CCPC Stroke, AKUHN

Session

Panel Discussion: Reducing Diagnostic Errors Case-Based Learning from the CCPC AMI, CCPC Stroke & the upcoming CCPC Non-metastatic Breast Cancer Programs

Panellist

Dr. Grace Muthoni

Emergency Medicine Specialist & Physician Manager, Emergency Department, AKUHN

Session

Panel Discussion: Reducing Diagnostic Errors Case-Based Learning from the CCPC AMI, CCPC Stroke & the upcoming CCPC Non-metastatic Breast Cancer Programs

Panellist

Dr. Rose Ndumia

Consultant Breast Radiologist & Vice-Chair, Department of Radiology, AKUHN

Session

Panel Discussion: Reducing Diagnostic Errors Case-Based Learning from the CCPC AMI, CCPC Stroke & the upcoming CCPC Non-metastatic Breast Cancer Programs

Speaker

Dr. Angela Waweru

Consultant Radiation Oncologist & Vice-Chair, Department of Hemato-Oncology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi

Session

Learning from the AKUHN Tumor Board: Multidisciplinary Team Meetings for Diagnostic Excellence in Complex Care

Speaker

Prof. Shaheen Sayed

Associate Professor & Chair, Department of Pathology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi

Session

Strengthening Diagnostic Safety through Laboratory Excellence: Reducing Diagnostic Errors through quality laboratory services

Panellist

Mercy Kipgeny

Product Designer, Think MD

Session

Panel Discussion: Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence for Diagnostic Excellence

Panellist

Dr. Fred Mutisya

Medical Doctor and Chief Health AI Officer, Center for Health AI Research Innovation and Implementation (CHAIRII)

Session

Panel Discussion: Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence for Diagnostic Excellence

Panellist

Dr. Jeremiah Mumo

Director, Digital Health Agency

Session

Panel Discussion: Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence for Diagnostic Excellence

Panellist

Dr. Aftaab Khamisa

Physician Informaticist, AKUHN

Session

Panel Discussion: Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence for Diagnostic Excellence

Moderators

3 people
Moderator

Dr. Rhoda Kalondu

Head of Patient Safety Unit, Kenyatta National Hospital

Session

Building Reliable Diagnostic Systems

Moderator

Dr. Olga Nyamor

Quality Assurance Manager, Kenyatta University Teaching Research & Referral Hospital

Session

Panel Discussion: Reducing Diagnostic Errors Case-Based Learning from the CCPC AMI, CCPC Stroke & the upcoming CCPC Non-metastatic Breast Cancer Programs

Moderator

Dr. Sarah Kiptinness

Session

Panel Discussion: Digital Health & Artificial Intelligence for Diagnostic Excellence

Track B

Speakers & Panellists

8 people
Speaker

Roy Okoth

Quality Advisor, AKUHN

Session

Case of the Day: Learning from medication-related harm

Speaker

Dr. Gladwell Gathecha

Head, Division of Cancer & NCDs, Ministry of Health

Session

Beyond Availability—Ensuring Safe, Equitable and Timely Access to Essential NCD Care

Speaker

Dr. Bindi Tank

Chief Pharmacist, AKUHN

Session

High-Risk Therapies in NCD Care: Building Safer Systems for Complex Treatments

Speaker

Lucy Adhiambo

Director, Quality Services Kenya AKHS & Head of Nursing Practice, Aga Khan Hospital, Kisumu

Session

Recognizing and Managing Acute Deterioration in Patients with Chronic Diseases

Speaker

Dr. Mairaj Shah

Chief Quality & Patient Safety Officer, Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi and the French Medical Institute for Children (FMIC), Kabul

Session

Learning from High-Risk NCD Care: Case Studies in Patient Safety

Speaker

Dr. Jacob Shabani

Chair, Department of Family Medicine, AKUHN

Session

Delivering Safe Ambulatory and Outpatient NCD Care

Speaker

Dr. Greg Ganda

CEC Health, County Government of Kisumu

Session

Lost in Transition? Strengthening Care Coordination for Safer NCD Care

Speaker

Mr. O'J Ogallo

Patient Safety Advocate / Healthcare Quality and Patient Engagement Leader, COFPAK

Session

Partnering with Patients: Empowering self-management for Safe NCD Care

Moderators

7 people
Moderator

Dr. Tabitha Gichuru

Quality Advisor, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi

Session

Ensuring Safe Access and Medication Safety

Moderator

Esther Gimoi

Senior Manager, Risk Management, Aga Khan University

Session

Managing High-Risk NCD Care – From Prevention to Clinical Learning

Moderator

Dr. Saira

Session

Safe, Coordinated and Patient-Centered NCD Care Across the Continuum

Moderator

Dr. Grace Rwamba

Physician Manager, Outreach Division, Aga Khan University Hospital

Session

Integrated, Person-Centered Models for Safe NCD Care

Moderator

Dr. Colleeen Araka

Quality Improvement Lead, Pumwani Maternity Hospital

Session

Measuring, Learning and Improving NCD Care

Moderator

Dr. Carolyne Mukuha

Session

Building Capacity and Sustaining Quality for Safe NCD Care

Moderator

Oduor Otieno

Founder/PSQI Advisor, Systems Evaluation Ltd

Session

Accreditation and Quality Standards: Sustaining Safe NCD Care

Conference Programme

Day 3

18 speakers & moderators

Day 3 Programme

Speakers & Panellists

18 people
Speaker

Dr. Mercy Karanja

Director, Mental Health, Ministry of Health

Session

Building Integrated Mental Health Services within NCD Care: The National Perspective

Speaker

Dr. Catherine Gitau

Section Head, Department of Psychiatry, AKUHN

Session

Integrating Mental Health into Safe NCD Care: From Policy to Clinical Practice

Speaker

Dr. Joy Mugambi

President, Kenya Association of Family Physicians

Session

Managing Multimorbidity Safely – Building Integrated Models of Care

Panellist

Dr. Joan-Paula-Bor

Head of the National Cancer Program, National Cancer Control Program

Session

Panel Discussion: Building High-Reliability NCD Systems: What Does Good Look Like?

Panellist

Dr. Mary Nyamongo

Founder, Director & Technical Advisor, African Institute for Health and Development and Chair, NCD Alliance Kenya

Session

Panel Discussion: Building High-Reliability NCD Systems: What Does Good Look Like?

Panellist

Xu Hongyyi

Technical Officer for NCDs, Multi-Country Assignment Teams, WHO Country Office Kenya

Session

Panel Discussion: Building High-Reliability NCD Systems: What Does Good Look Like?

Speaker

Dr. Martin Musumbi

Director, Critical Care, Aga Khan University, Nairobi

Session

Measuring What Matters – Quality, Safety and Outcome Indicators in NCD Care

Panellist

Dr. Victor Kibe

Head of NCD Division, Nairobi City County Government

Session

Panel Discussion: Learning from Data – Building Learning Health Systems for Safe NCD Care

Panellist

Dr. Salima Kanji

Senior Manager, Quality, Aga Khan University, Nairobi

Session

Panel Discussion: Learning from Data – Building Learning Health Systems for Safe NCD Care

Panellist

Dr. Erick Mo Muok

Senior Principal Research Scientist, Molecular Medicine (Parasite Immunology), KEMRI

Session

Panel Discussion: Learning from Data – Building Learning Health Systems for Safe NCD Care

Panellist

Dr. Muthoni Mwangi

Faculty & Health Systems Scientist, Department of Population Health, Aga Khan University

Session

Panel Discussion: Learning from Data – Building Learning Health Systems for Safe NCD Care

Panellist

Faith Ligale

Program Lead for the Africa Medical Equipment Facility and Quality Improvement Specialist with IFC

Session

Panel Discussion: Building Capacity for Safer NCD Care – Workforce, Leadership and Quality Improvement

Panellist

Dr. Lydia Okutoyi

Director, Quality, Kenyatta National Hospital & Co-founder, ACQUIRE

Session

Panel Discussion: Building Capacity for Safer NCD Care – Workforce, Leadership and Quality Improvement

Panellist

Mary Wambui

Chief Nursing Officer, Avenue Hospital

Session

Panel Discussion: Building Capacity for Safer NCD Care – Workforce, Leadership and Quality Improvement

Panellist

Susan Omondi

Head of Health Standards, Clinic Inspection and Quality Improvement, Nairobi County

Session

Panel Discussion: Building Capacity for Safer NCD Care – Workforce, Leadership and Quality Improvement

Panellist

Dr. Boniface Mativa

Director, Quality, Aga Khan University, Nairobi

Session

Panel: Accreditation and Quality Standards: Sustaining Safe NCD Care

Panellist

Dr. Lucy Musyoka

Director, Quality Directorate, Ministry of Health

Session

Panel: Accreditation and Quality Standards: Sustaining Safe NCD Care

Panellist

Millicent Olulo

Regional Director, Safe Care

Session

Panel: Accreditation and Quality Standards: Sustaining Safe NCD Care