2 Dec 2024 • Five years since COVID-19, the WHO's global report on infection prevention and control (IPC) reveals slow progress in addressing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

~Despite 71% of countries having an active IPC program, only 6% met the WHO’s IPC minimum requirements in 2023-2024, far from the 90% target by 2030. ~The report stresses that improving IPC and basic water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services can significantly prevent HAIs and reduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR). ~It also highlights that patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) face up to 20 times higher risks of HAIs than those in high-income countries (HICs). ~Without urgent action, up to 3.5 million deaths could occur annually from HAIs. ~Effective IPC interventions could prevent up to 821,000 deaths by 2050, saving billions in healthcare costs and generating substantial economic benefits.

WHO urges countries to prioritize IPC to protect patients and healthcare workers.

Source: WHO Read full story