Health-related infections cost Nigeria $4.5bn

The Federal Government said the total economic cost of Healthcare-Associated Infections in Nigeria has been estimated to be $4.5 billion in 2023.

The Coordinator of the National Infection Prevention and Control Programme at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Tochi Okwor disclosed this on Monday at the inauguration of the national IPC Technical Working Group in Abuja.

Okwor said the cost of the HAIs as a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product has also been estimated to be up to 0.94 per cent.

HAIs are avoidable harms that result from healthcare when IPCs are not optimal in hospitals.

She stated that Nigeria also has a high burden of community-acquired infections.

“The total economic cost of HAIs in Nigeria has been estimated to be up to $4.5bn in 2023, and the cost of these HAIs as a percentage of our GDP has also been estimated to be up to 0.94 per cent, and the cost of treating these HAIs as a proportion of our total healthcare expenditure in 2023 has also been estimated to be up to 3.8 per cent.

“Infectious diseases are non-discriminatory as they can affect the lives of everyone, especially Nigerian patients receiving care who could be you or me. The Turn Nigeria Orange Programme is strongly linked to implementing strategies that would help increase awareness and reduce incidences of HAIs,” she stated.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate noted that HAIs pose significant threats to the health and well-being of Nigerians, and can lead to death.

Pate, who was represented by the NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, said, “A recent study revealed that approximately 44 per cent of patients admitted to our hospitals acquire at least one HAI during their stay. The human and economic costs are substantial and have been calculated to cost $715 per episode, draining vital resources and funds that could be channelled towards other critical aspects of our health system.

“The burden of HAIs extends beyond financial implications, as it represents a threat to the health and productive years for our citizens, affecting the quality of life for countless families and healthcare workers.”

He, however, noted that strengthening IPC as well as water sanitation and hygiene practices, is vital to protecting the health of Nigerians.

He highlighted that effective IPC and WASH measures improve maternal and child health, reduce antimicrobial resistance, slow the spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens and enhance emergency preparedness and response.

“The establishment of this National IPC TWG also aligns well with the Global Action Plan on Infection Prevention and Control 2024-2030, which was recently approved by the World Health Assembly.

“Having a national IPC Technical Working Group is an important national-level indicator to track the national implementation of the Global Action Plan on IPC. With the inauguration of this technical working group, Nigeria has demonstrated leadership in infection prevention and control, and setting a precedent for other countries to follow,” she noted.

On his part, Idris said the inauguration of the National IPC TWG marks a significant milestone in the country’s collective efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s health system through robust IPC measures.

The NCDC boss stated that the IPC serves as the first line of defence against the spread of infectious diseases, safeguarding patients, healthcare workers and the community at large.

The Country Representative of the World Health Organisation in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Mulombo noted that the IPC TWG would address health security, and promote an efficient, equitable and quality health system.