A new WHO and UNICEF report highlights significant deficiencies in water, sanitation, hygiene, and environmental health services in healthcare facilities globally. While progress has been made since 2015, only 40% of facilities meet basic sanitation standards, and 59% achieve basic environmental cleaning. In 2025, 85% had basic water services, but many remain vulnerable to health risks due to inadequate conditions.
“The findings show important progress but also expose major gaps in the foundations of safe, high-quality care,” said Bruce Gordon, Unit Head, Water, Sanitation and Health (WSH), WHO. “Reliable water, accessible sanitation, hand hygiene, effective environmental cleaning and safe waste management must be integrated into health planning, financing and monitoring.”
While 40% of healthcare facilities lack basic sanitation services, 89% have some sanitation, and 85% have usable toilets. However, many facilities fall short in accessible and menstrual hygiene facilities.
“A toilet is not enough if it is unsafe, inaccessible or does not meet the needs of women, girls and people with disabilities,” said Evariste Kouassi Komlan, Director of WASH, UNICEF. “Without basic WASH services, health care facilities can pose serious risks to women during childbirth, newborns and young children. Safe, inclusive and dignified WASH services are essential to delivering quality care and protecting health.”
Environmental cleaning in healthcare facilities is critically inadequate, with only 59% meeting basic standards, impacting about 1.5 billion people. In least developed countries, this drops to 24%. Effective cleaning is essential for preventing infections and antimicrobial resistance. Although progress has been made in water, hygiene, and waste management services since 2015, about 10% of facilities still lack water and sanitation. The number of countries reporting on five essential services increased from 29 to 39. A recent UN resolution emphasizes the need for improved monitoring and standards for WASH services, recognizing WHO and UNICEF’s roles in supporting these initiatives.
Source: World Health Organization (WHO)
