WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the press briefing: 

* One of the keys to keeping patients safe is keeping health workers safe.

* The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us of the vital role health workers play to relieve suffering and save lives.

* Globally, around 14% of COVID-19 cases reported to WHO are among health workers, and in some countries it’s as much as 35%. 

* Every day, health workers are exposed to stress, burnout, stigma, discrimination and even violence. 

* To mark World Patient Safety Day, WHO is launching a charter on health worker safety, which we invite all countries, hospitals, clinics and partners to endorse and implement. 

* Now more than ever, we have a duty to give health workers the safe working conditions, the training, the pay and the respect they deserve.

Read the full remarks: https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-press-briefing-for-world-patient-safety-day

Listen and download: https://who.canto.global/b/TECMT

Weblink: http://terrance.who.int/mediacentre/presser/WHO-AUDIO_Emergencies_Coronavirus_Press_Conference_17SEP2020.mp3

Health Worker Safety Charter: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/world-patient-safety-day/health-worker-safety-charter-wpsd-17-september-2020-3-1.pdf?sfvrsn=2cb6752d_2 

World Patient Safety Day 2020 assets: https://who.canto.global/v/PatientSafetyDay/landing?viewIndex=0

COVID-19 assets: https://who.canto.global/v/coronavirus