Financial and economic costs of healthcare-associated infections in Africa

Healthcare associated infections (HAI) remain a global health challenge and have elevated rates in Sub-Saharan Africa. HAIs impact patients and their families by causing illness, prolonged hospital stay, potential disability, excess costs and sometimes death. The costs of HAI are increasing due to spreading antimicrobial resistance. A major risk factor for HAIs is lack of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), environmental cleaning and healthcare waste management. In Sub-Saharan Africa these services are lacking in at least 50% of healthcare facilities.