On Thursday 17 September 2026, the occasion of World Patient Safety Day, Luxembourg’s Ministry of Health and Social Security announced that the Health Directorate is joining the World Health Organization (WHO) campaign on “Safe care for noncommunicable diseases”.

According to the ministry, the 2026 edition of the campaign highlights the importance of ensuring safety at every stage of the patient journey: prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

The ministry noted that living with a chronic disease often involves consulting several healthcare professionals, following different treatments and undergoing regular examinations. At every stage, a delayed diagnosis, information that is not properly communicated or a break in follow-up can have consequences for the patient's health. Safe care means providing each patient with appropriate care based on the available scientific evidence and adapted to their individual circumstances. It also relies on clear information, patient participation and good coordination between healthcare professionals.

Diseases requiring long-term follow-up

Noncommunicable diseases, also known as chronic diseases, are long-term conditions that are not transmitted from one person to another. They result from a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, socio-economic and behavioural factors.

In Luxembourg, the main chronic diseases include cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, depression, dementia, obesity and diabetes. Their prevalence increases with age, which represents an important challenge in the context of an ageing population.

Prevention to reduce the risk of disease

Patient safety begins before the onset of disease. Prevention aims to avoid or delay the development of chronic diseases by addressing their main risk factors.

In Luxembourg, public initiatives exist covering areas including tobacco prevention, reducing alcohol consumption and promoting a balanced diet and regular physical activity. Based on scientific knowledge and accompanied by reliable information, these initiatives enable everyone to make choices that benefit their health and reduce the risk of disease.

Early detection to enable rapid action

Screening makes it possible to look for a disease at an early stage, an abnormality that may indicate its presence, or an increased risk of developing it.

The national organised screening programmes for breast and colorectal cancer enable potential abnormalities to be identified earlier. Those concerned can therefore be rapidly referred for further examinations and, where necessary, appropriate care.

A free national screening programme for familial hypercholesterolaemia is also offered to all children aged eighteen months. It aims to identify this hereditary disease at an early stage and prevent its cardiovascular complications.

When carried out according to precise criteria and quality procedures, screening contributes to patient safety by ensuring follow-up of abnormal results and rapid referral to the appropriate healthcare professionals.

Better coordination of care

In Luxembourg, competence networks are an approach aimed at strengthening the coordination and continuity of care for patients with chronic diseases or complex healthcare needs. They bring together doctors, healthcare professionals and healthcare institutions, as well as, depending on the needs, other organisations and stakeholders involved in the patient's care pathway. The objective is to facilitate patient referrals and ensure coherent care throughout their journey. Better coordination between those involved therefore limits information loss, breaks in follow-up and the risks associated with fragmented care.

These networks cover, for example, neurodegenerative diseases through ParkinsonNet, chronic pain, immuno-rheumatology in adults and children (RiR), as well as diabetes and obesity, for children (OBEDIA-Kids) and adults.

Find out more

⁃ Report from the Health Observatory - A healthy society through prevention: https://obs.temporel.lu/fr/publications.gouv2024_obs%2Bfr%2Bpublications%2Bgesond-gesellschaft-rapportfr.html

⁃ Colorectal cancer screening programme: https://santesecu.public.lu/fr/espace-citoyen/departement-sante/entreprises/cancer-colon-depistage.html

⁃ Breast cancer screening programme: https://santesecu.public.lu/fr/espace-citoyen/departement-sante/entreprises/cancer-sein-depistage.html

⁃ Familial hypercholesterolaemia screening: https://santesecu.public.lu/fr/espace-citoyen/departement-sante/enfance-adolescence/petite-enfance/tests-depistage/hypercholesterolemia-familiale.html

⁃ WHO - World Patient Safety Day 2026: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-patient-safety-day/2026