The Nigerian government has highlighted a significant financial strain on its healthcare system due to the high prevalence of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The Coordinator of the National Infection Prevention and Control Programme at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Tochi Okwor, revealed this during the inauguration of the national IPC Technical Working Group (IPC TWG) in Abuja.
Referencing a report by WaterAid Nigeria, Mrs. Okwor noted that HAIs have cost the country approximately $4.5 billion in 2023, equivalent to about N7.2 trillion based on the current exchange rate. These infections occur when patients acquire infections while receiving treatment for medical or surgical conditions within healthcare settings, including hospitals and primary health centers.
Mrs. Okwor emphasized the susceptibility of healthcare seekers to HAIs due to inadequate prevention and control measures. Common HAIs include surgical site infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, and ventilator-associated pneumonia. She highlighted that HAIs consumed 3.8% of the total healthcare expenditure in 2023, representing about 0.94% of Nigeria’s GDP.
Chukuma Anyadike, Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, underscored the importance of infection prevention and control (IPC) as the foundation of a resilient health system. He stressed that no patient should contract infections while receiving care and that IPC is essential to protect both patients and healthcare workers. Effective IPC interventions can prevent up to 70% of HAIs and are among the most cost-effective healthcare measures.
As part of efforts to reduce HAIs, the government has developed a national IPC manual and disease-specific guidelines for healthcare workers, adopted by states and disseminated to various health facilities. In collaboration with the University of Lagos and the Infection Control Africa Network, the government has also trained over 100 IPC focal persons to work in health facilities nationwide.
Muhammad Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, represented by NCDC DG Jide Idris, stated that the inauguration of the Technical Working Group aligns with the Global Action Plan on Infection Prevention and Control 2024-2030, recently approved by the World Health Assembly. This initiative demonstrates Nigeria’s leadership in infection prevention and sets a precedent for other countries to follow.