This week, we’re highlighting the work of Dr. Siyan Yi, an RGHI Innovation Grant Award Holder, whose research addresses the critical challenges of hospital-acquired infections (HAIS) in Cambodia and Lao PDR. Working with co-Principal Investigators Dr. Vonthanak Saphonn and Dr. Somphu Sayasone, Dr. Yi’s team is developing tailored infection prevention and control (IPC) interventions to reduce the burden of these often-overlooked infections in healthcare settings.  

Hospital-acquired infections pose a significant threat to public health, especially in low and middle-income countries. Many “nosocomial” infections receive limited attention, specifically from policymakers, unless there is an epidemic, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which demonstrated the effectiveness of enhanced infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in healthcare settings and the importance of basic hygiene and healthcare for public health.

These infections disproportionately affect low and middle-income countries (LMICs) where their economic burdens exceed those of high-income nations, highlighting the importance of effective prevention programs.

The research project consists of three key components:

This research builds upon the World Health Organisation guidelines, which address specific challenges in these countries. By developing interventions that are contextually appropriate for LMICS, this research creates solutions that can be effectively implemented.  The findings will be shared through dissemination workshops with policymakers and stakeholders presented at various forums and published in peer-reviewed journals to inform IPC efforts worldwide.

“This research exemplifies practical solutions that RGHI is committed to supporting. The potential for this work to be scaled across other low and middle-income countries makes it even more valuable for global public health.”