WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) — The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) on Wednesday said that in 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) recorded more than 800,000 babies being born premature or small for their gestational age, facing increased risks of preventable conditions such as sepsis, congenital anomalies and intra-partum complications.

It said neonatal mortality accounts for more than 50 per cent of child deaths in the region, with prematurity and sepsis among the leading causes.

In a message marking “World Patient Safety Day”, PAHO is calling on governments, health professionals and communities across the Americas to prioritise safe and equitable care from the very beginning of life.

World Patient Safety Day is being observed under the theme “Patient Safety from the Start!” with PAHO saying that the campaign seeks to raise awareness and reduce risks associated with paediatric and neonatal medical care.

It said that this year’s focus underscores the unique vulnerabilities of newborns and children, who face greater risks of harm in healthcare settings due to their rapid development, specific needs, and reliance on caregivers and health systems.

It also emphasises that a single error in medical care can have lifelong consequences for a child’s health and development.

“Every newborn and every child deserves safe, high-quality care from the very first moment of life,” said Dr Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO director.

“In our region, preventable errors such as mistakes with medications, misdiagnoses or healthcare-associated infections threaten the future of the most vulnerable. This world day is a call to close these gaps and strengthen the health systems that protect our children,” he added.

PAHO acknowledged that the situation regarding neonatal mortality requires around-the-clock hospital care, ongoing staff training and active family involvement.

It said simple PAHO-promoted measures, such as hand washing, administration of antenatal steroids and skin-to-skin contact (kangaroo method), could prevent a significant proportion of deaths in premature babies.

PAHO recalled that at its 61st Directing Council in October 2024, it adopted a resolution establishing the Strategy and Plan of Action to reduce the burden of sepsis (2025–2029).

PAHO said that this regional roadmap includes key actions in awareness-raising, infection prevention, including vaccination and hospital hygiene and equitable access to diagnosis and care, especially for vulnerable populations.

Globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that one in 10 patients suffers harm in healthcare settings due to errors in medication prescribing, diagnosis or healthcare-associated infections. These risks also affect children and newborns, who are particularly vulnerable. More than half of this harm is preventable.

To mark World Patient Safety Day, PAHO will hold a regional webinar on September 23 with experts from Argentina, Brazil, Honduras, the United States, and Caribbean countries, addressing best practices in child patient safety, digital health, neonatal sepsis prevention, and the role of parents as active partners in care.