Nearly five years after the onset of COVID-19, a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals limited progress in closing critical gaps in infection prevention and control (IPC) to combat healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
HAIs, many of which can be prevented through improved IPC practices and basic water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, pose a persistent threat in healthcare settings. These measures are also among the most cost-effective strategies to reduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The report, presented at a G7 side-event hosted by Italy, provides a comprehensive baseline assessment to guide policymakers, healthcare workers, IPC professionals, and other stakeholders in their efforts to curb HAIs.
Key Findings
The report reveals that while 71% of countries now have active IPC programs, only 6% met all WHO IPC minimum requirements as of 2023–2024. This falls significantly short of the WHO Global Action Plan’s target of over 90% compliance by 2030. Alarmingly, patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) face up to 20 times the risk of acquiring infections in healthcare settings compared to those in high-income countries (HICs).
“The COVID-19 pandemic, alongside outbreaks of Ebola, Marburg, and mpox, starkly illustrates how pathogens can rapidly spread and amplify in healthcare settings,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Healthcare-associated infections remain a daily threat in every hospital and clinic, not just during epidemics and pandemics. Every country must do more to prevent and control infections in health facilities.”
Impact of HAIs and AMR
HAIs extend hospital stays and lead to severe complications such as sepsis, disability, or even death. Addressing these infections is critical to reducing AMR, with current estimates indicating 136 million antibiotic-resistant HAIs annually.
Despite the importance of IPC, healthcare facilities, particularly in LMICs, face significant financial and resource constraints. A quarter of countries reported shortages in personal protective equipment in 2023, and many lack sufficient IPC professionals and budgets.
The Cost of Inaction
Without urgent intervention, up to 3.5 million patients could die annually from HAIs, according to new data from WHO and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). However, the report highlights the potential of coordinated IPC interventions at the point of care. These efforts could prevent up to 821,000 deaths per year by 2050, save healthcare systems up to $112 billion annually, and generate economic gains of $124 billion.
A Call to Action
“By 2030, everyone accessing and providing healthcare must be protected from HAIs,” emphasized Dr. Bruce Aylward, WHO Assistant Director-General for Universal Health Coverage. “Meeting IPC minimum requirements should be a top priority for all countries to safeguard patients, healthcare workers, and communities from unnecessary suffering.”
The WHO report underscores the urgent need for global collaboration and investment in IPC systems to mitigate HAIs and AMR while ensuring safer healthcare for all.
