Tracker for WASH Management in Health-Care Facilities
The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have updated their country progress tracker for water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), and waste management in health-care facilities. The tracker now covers 107 countries, up from 75 two years ago. It supports monitoring against the 2023 United Nations General Assembly Resolution on WASH, waste, and electricity in health-care settings. The data reveals both progress and critical gaps in delivering essential services to patients and health workers worldwide.
Current Status of WASH Services in Health Facilities
Half of all health-care facilities globally lack basic hygiene services such as water and soap or alcohol-based hand rub at points of care and toilets. This affects about 3.85 billion people using these facilities. Of these, 688 million receive care where hygiene services are completely absent, increasing infection risks. Despite this, over 90% of countries have conducted baseline assessments or developed national standards for WASH in health care.
Eight Practical Steps for Improvement
Countries are advancing through eight key steps – establishing national standards, conducting baseline assessments, developing costed roadmaps, strengthening health information systems, building workforce capacity, integrating climate resilience, improving infrastructure, and securing financing. Progress is strongest in setting standards and assessments, but only 17% of countries have secured adequate funding to improve and sustain these services.
Integration of Climate Resilience and Sustainability
Nearly half of the countries updating WASH and waste guidelines now include climate resilience and sustainability measures. These include safe water storage, greener plumbing materials, and expanding non-burn waste treatment. This approach aims to reduce environmental impact while improving service quality and long-term viability.
Equity and Inclusion in WASH Efforts
Efforts focus on equity by addressing the needs of women, girls, and people with disabilities. Inclusive policies ensure that WASH services are accessible to all users. Countries showing progress tend to work on multiple areas simultaneously, reinforcing improvements across the health system.
Financial and Policy Challenges
A major barrier remains insufficient financing. WHO marks that investing in hand hygiene yields a 25-fold return by reducing infections and improving health outcomes. Discussions under the Protocol on Water and Health stress the need for better financing models and integration of WASH into broader health, climate, and antimicrobial resistance strategies.
Upcoming Developments and Global Dialogue
A global webinar scheduled for 29 July 2025 will share country experiences and identify gaps. The WHO/UNICEF Global Progress Report on WASH and waste in health-care facilities will be released in October 2025, providing detailed insights. These initiatives aim to translate current momentum into sustainable improvements worldwide.
| Related | |
|---|---|
