WHO global report on infection prevention and control urges immediate, comprehensive action

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) recently released “Global report on infection prevention and control 2024” highlights how strong infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, in every health care facility, are required to protect both health workers and patients from health care-associated infections. 

Inadequate IPC in health care facilities contributes to infection and disease spread. This leads to worse health outcomes, longer hospital stays and higher financial costs. However, as highlighted by the WHO Global report, commitment to IPC and investment in water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure remain insufficient in many low- and middle-income countries.  

In Indonesia, by 2023 approximately 80% of hospitals and just over half of primary health care facilities (puskesmas) had achieved health care facility accreditation, which includes IPC components. Indonesia is currently developing and updating IPC regulations and guidelines and is also integrating IPC into key areas of work, such as the battle against antimicrobial resistance. Increased funding and training, both initial and refresher, can help strengthen IPC practices, alongside improved multimodal IPC strategies and IPC worker retention, in alignment with key recommendations of the Global report.

Across Indonesia, WHO will continue to support improved IPC practices, including through increased advocacy, awareness and capacity building, and by drawing on both regional and global best practices in low- and middle-income settings. 

Download the Global report on infection prevention and control 2024 here: Global report on infection prevention and control 2024