Hospital Infections Cost Africa $8.4 Billion a Year, Study Shows

Treating infections acquired in hospitals and clinics is costing sub-Saharan Africa as much as $8.4 billion a year and hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths, according to research by WaterAid and the World Bank.

At least half of these could be averted by improved handwashing facilities, clean water and decent toilets, the organizations said. The highest rates of contamination were found in intensive care units, neonatal wards and pediatric departments.