[Editorial] Putting patient safety first: a global imperative

On April 18, 2024, WHO launched the first ever Patient Safety Rights Charter to delineate patient rights regarding health and safety and to support the formulation of policies and guidelines for patient-centred health-care systems. The Charter includes ten rights that are fundamental to reducing inadvertent harm to patients, including the right to timely, effective, and appropriate care and the right to safe health-care processes and practices. In ever evolving cancer care, among the challenges of changing government policies, regulatory delays, and staff and drug shortages, a steadfast commitment to patient safety and wellbeing is paramount.