WASH in health care facilities

Fully functioning WASH services are a crucial aspect of preventing infections, reducing AMR, ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and responding to outbreaks and emergencies. The United Nations Secretary-General’s global call to action on WASH in health care facilities (2018) brought new awareness of the issue among Member States, UN agencies and partners. The subsequent World Health Assembly resolution, passed in 2019, further elevated the issue, with all Member States committing to work towards achieving universal access by 2030.

Since then, the world has faced unprecedented challenges in addressing basic health needs, especially for women and children while climate change puts more strain on already weakened, under resourced health systems. Across all regions, WASH services in health care facilities fall short of WHO and national standards. The availability of WASH services, especially in maternity and primary care settings where they are often absent, supports core universal health care aspects of quality, equity and dignity for all people.

Attention is now focused on accelerating progress on SDG 3 (Good health and well-being) and SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation) until 2030. Increasingly efforts are focused on providing a climate resilient and sustainable infrastructure package (including energy) and integrating across health systems to ensure WASH, waste and energy services are maintained and hygiene and safe waste management practices supported.

Definition of WASH in health care facilities

The term “WASH in health care facilities” refers to the provision of water, sanitation, health care waste management, hygiene and environmental cleaning infrastructure and services across all parts of a facility. “Health care facilities” encompass all formally recognized facilities that provide health care, including primary (health posts and clinics), secondary, and tertiary (district or national hospitals), public and private (including faith-run), and temporary structures designed for emergency contexts (e.g., cholera treatment centers). They may be located in urban or rural areas.

Tracking progress

WHO and UNICEF are tracking progress on implementation of the Practical Steps (actions that countries are taking to improve the condition of WASH in health care facilities) with a first analysis published in 2020 and an update of progress in 2023. The WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme regularly updates global data and published reports on WASH and waste services in health care facilities. The most recent report, based on 2021 data, shows major gaps even in basic services.

Meeting reports

Millions of women give birth in health care facilities without clean water

WHO/UNICEF Global Knowledge Portal (over 500 resources)

Monitoring WASH in institutions