WHO reports slow progress in tackling healthcare-associated infections

GENEVA: A World Health Organization (WHO) report, launched at an event hosted by Italy on the sidelines of G7 meeting, shows that while 71pc of countries now have an active IPC program, only 6 met all WHO IPC minimum requirements in 2023-2024, which is far below the target of over 90pc intended to be achieved by 2030.
The WHO report on the infection prevention and control (IPC), launched nearly five years after Covid-19 emergence, reveals slow progress in closing gaps to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
Many HAIs can be prevented with improved IPC practices and basic water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, which also help reduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in healthcare settings.
The report highlights stark disparities, with patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) up to 20 times more likely to acquire infections than those in high-income countries. “HAIs are a daily threat in every healthcare setting, not just during epidemics and pandemics,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, urging all countries to strengthen efforts to prevent and control infections in health facilities.
HAIs not only prolong hospital stays but can also lead to severe complications like sepsis and, in some cases, death. The burden is compounded by AMR, with 136 million antibiotic-resistant HAIs reported annually.
Financial and resource challenges, including shortages of IPC professionals and protective equipment, particularly in LMICs, remain key barriers to progress, says the report.
The WHO and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) warn that without urgent action, up to 3.5 million patients could die from HAIs each year.
However, enhanced IPC measures could prevent up to 821,000 deaths annually by 2050, save healthcare systems an estimated US$112 billion, and generate economic benefits of up to US$124 billion.
“By 2030, everyone accessing and providing healthcare should be safe from HAIs,” emphasized Dr. Bruce Aylward, WHO Assistant Director-General for Universal Health Coverage, urging governments to prioritise meeting IPC standards to safeguard patients and healthcare workers alike.