Introduction
Evidence demonstrating effectiveness of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in reducing healthcare associated infections (HAI) is available, particularly from high-income countries. However, in most low-income countries, IPC is perceived as a financial burden with few facilities incorporating IPC activities and resources in their annual plans and budgets. Thus IPC is not embedded in routine patient care and remains a fire fighting activity used when faced with major outbreaks. This viewpoint explores some ways health facilities in low-income countries can finance their IPC programmes.

Perspectives on IPC programme financing approaches
Multifaceted financing approaches resulting in more resilient and sustainable IPC programmes include: (i) facility ownership where IPC plans and budgets are integrated into its core business; (ii) government support for specific provisions and programme oversight including monitoring and evaluation; (iii) public-private partnerships targeting specific facility IPC needs; (iv) international organisations supporting government initiatives to strengthen national IPC programmes; (v) ride on existing funded programmes and (iv) solicit funds through grant applications to address or raise awareness on specific IPC issues. However, lack of HAI surveillance data implicating poor IPC measures is a major setback to demonstrating return on investment for IPC programmes.

Conclusions
HAIs impose a financial burden on patients and their relatives, health delivery system and economy of the country. Adopting an integrated and multifaceted IPC financing approach at health facility and national levels in low-income countries can result in cost-effective IPC implementation.