The Manduluyong Patient Safety Declaration

The Health Consumer Advocacy Alliance has recently led a successful campaign spearheading the call for New Zealand to formally adopt the Mandaluyong Patient Safety Declaration, which was signed by all health ministers at the recent summit. This declaration is significant for New Zealand as it signals a commitment to align with international standards of patient safety, embed accountability across the health system, and strengthen the voice of patients and families in shaping safer care. It is an important step forward in ensuring that the lessons of harm are not ignored but instead drive meaningful change for future generations. This campaign was further strengthened by a joint letter to Health Minister Simeon Brown, from representatives of health agencies, professional associations, consumer organisations, and advocacy groups across Aotearoa New Zealand. The letter endorsed and conveyed unequivocal support for the Mandaluyong Declaration on Patient Safety, adopted at the 7th Global Ministerial Summit on Patient Safety in the Philippines on 3–4 April 2025. Together, these voices have amplified the call for action and underlined the shared commitment to making patient safety a cornerstone of healthcare in New Zealand. Joint letter to Health Minister Simeon Brown Media Release 16 September 2025

Mandaluyong Declaration on Patient Safety

Weaving Strengths for the Future of Patient Safety Throughout the Healthcare Continuum7th Global Ministerial Summit on Patient SafetyMandaluyong, PhilippinesDate: April 3-4, 2025
  • We, the Patient Safety Weavers, gathered at the 7th Global Ministerial Summit on Patient Safety in Mandaluyong, Philippines, on April 3-4, 2025, building upon the principles and outcomes of all previous summits - London (2016), Bonn (2017), Tokyo (2018), Jeddah (2019), Montreux (2023), and Santiago (2024) - including the Tokyo Declaration, Jeddah Declaration, Montreux Charter, and Santiago Commitment Charter, reaffirm our unwavering determination to make patient safety a universal imperative.

  • Our collective commitments align firmly with the World Health Assembly 72.6 resolution on Global action on patient safety as well as the corresponding Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021-2030. With renewed urgency, we choose to advance our actions in establishing patient safety as a foundational pillar of resilient, people-centered and equitable health systems that deliver high-quality care and drive improved health outcomes. Together, we pledge to:

  • 1. Strengthen Global Collaboration for Patient Safety by fostering joint efforts rooted in transparency, mutual accountability and shared learning. Inspired by the Filipino tradition of Bayanihan, which embodies the values of solidarity, collective responsibility, and a deep sense of community spirit, we will work together towards a common goal of improving patient safety and eliminating avoidable harm by creating a culture of safety across all health systems worldwide.

  • 2. Advance Leadership and Governance in Patient Safety by embedding patient safety at the highest levels of health system governance, prioritizing investments in patient safety at all levels of health care, with an emphasis on primary care, where the foundations of health are established. We will strengthen national leadership and governance structures that promote a culture of patient safety, drive accountability, nurture innovation, and ensure continuous improvement in health outcomes.

  • 3. Integrate Patient Safety into Disaster and Emergency Preparedness and Climate Resilience by incorporating patient safety considerations into disaster preparedness strategies and plans, recognizing the growing impact of climate change and disasters on health systems. We will foster synergistic partnerships to mitigate risks, ensure continuity of care during crises, and build resilient, adaptive health systems that prioritize safety even in times of disruption.

  • 4. Build a People-centred Approach to Patient Safety by recognizing the utmost importance of weaving together and valuing the experiences and expertise of individuals, communities, and systems. We will strengthen inclusivity in decision-making and co-create solutions with those most affected by unsafe care, ensuring a people-centred, equitable, and sustainable future for patient safety.

  • Call to Action
  • We commit to transform these pledges into concrete actions by strengthening patient safety leadership; promoting evidenced-based and country-specific frameworks; fostering global collaboration and knowledge sharing; prioritizing healthcare workforce investments; leveraging artificial intelligence, digital health and emerging technology; addressing social, economic and environmental factors; and engaging patients and families in safety initiatives, among others, to enhance patient safety and improve healthcare systems by designing and delivering safer care for patients and eliminating avoidable harm in a just and learning culture.
  • We urge all governments, health organizations, healthcare facilities and healthcare workers, academia, civil societies, patients and their families, communities, and all relevant stakeholders, to join this shared mission, ensuring that the principles of patient safety are embedded in the fabric of all health systems worldwide.
  • Adopted and endorsed by:

  • [Member States/ Organizations/ Stakeholders]