Public Management

Healthcare: SSA spends $8.4bn each year to tackle HAIs, Study Finds

Healthcare: SSA spends $8.4bn each year to tackle HAIs, Study Finds
Monday, 08 April 2024 14:06

Sub-Saharan Africa spends $8.4 billion each year to fight infections acquired within healthcare facilities, according to a comprehensive study published on April 7 by the global NGO WaterAid and the World Bank. This significant financial burden equates to an average of 4.5% of the region’s annual health budget, the study conducted in Nigeria, Malawi, Ethiopia, Zambia, Uganda, Mali, and Ghana finds.

3d44fcafdc9643e1896e3e52e556b L

Titled "Counting the Cost of Healthcare-Acquired Infections in Sub-Saharan Africa," it highlights the lack of cleanliness and hygiene measures during medical care and recovery phases as the main factors contributing to the prevalence of these infections. HAIs, including sepsis and pneumonia, are not only a major financial strain but also lead to hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths each year in the region. The research raises alarms over the growing threat of antibiotic resistance, which exacerbates the impact of these infections and is linked to nearly five million global deaths a year. 

The highest rates of infection were recorded in intensive care units, neonatal services, and pediatric wards, the report said. Malawi emerges as the most severely affected, allocating an average of 2.9% of its GDP and 10.9% of its annual health budget to the treatment and management of HAIs.

3d4afdc9643e1896e3e52e556b L

The study suggests that up to half of the deaths related to HAIs in Sub-Saharan Africa could be preventable with better access to handwashing facilities, clean water, and adequate sanitation. This finding not only underscores the critical need for enhanced hygiene practices in healthcare settings but also highlights a straightforward and effective path toward reducing both the human and financial costs of healthcare-acquired infections in the region.

Additional Info

  • communiques: Non
  • couleur: N/A
On the same topic
WAEMU states collectively raised nearly 7,000 billion CFA francs in the first half of 2025, a record amount driven by increased financing needs, the...
• Inflation within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) fell to a two-year low of 0.6% in May, bolstered by a decline in food costs. •...
• Interbank volumes rose 18.7% in May, while rates declined across the market• The BCEAO cut its main policy rate to 3.25% following a sharp drop in...
• EY is preparing to leave Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa by 2026• The exit could unlock $500 million to $1 billion in annual market...
Most Read
01

• Global coffee consumption projected to hit a record 169.4 million 60-kg bags in 2025/2026, up from...

Coffee: Global Consumption Expected to Reach Record Level in 2025/2026
02

• Algeria grants commercial 5G licenses to top three telecom operators: Mobilis, Djezzy, and Ooredoo...

Algeria Awards Commercial 5G Licenses
03

• Investors seem to keep focusing on yields, which are high for the moment• New Leadership might see...

Afreximbank Bonds Retain Market Confidence Despite Moody’s Downgrade
04

• Kenyan President William Ruto signs strategic partnership with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to b...

William Ruto in London: New Agreement Aims to Double Kenya-UK Trade by 2030
05

• IFC teams up with AfDB and Nigeria’s EbonyLife to assess a new fund for African cinema• Sector cou...

IFC Plans Investment Fund to Help Grow African Film Industry
Enter your email to receive our newsletter

Ecofin Agency provides daily coverage of nine key African economic sectors: public management, finance, telecoms, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, communication, and education.
It also designs and manages specialized media, both online and print, for African institutions and publishers.

SALES & ADVERTISING

Benjamin FLAUX
bf@agenceecofin.com 
Téls: +41 22 301 96 11 
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72
Média kit : Download

EDITORIAL
redaction@agenceecofin.com

More information
Team
Publisher

ECOFIN AGENCY

Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Geneva
Switzerland

 

Ecofin Agency is a sector-focused economic news agency, founded in December 2010. Its web platform was launched in June 2011. ©Mediamania.

 
 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.