Over 100 countries are working hard to improve basic health services, but many still lack essential facilities like clean water, sanitation, and electricity. According to a recent report from WHO and UNICEF, billions of people still receive care from places that don’t meet basic health standards. This situation demands urgent action to meet the global goals set for 2030.
Dr. Ruediger Krech from WHO emphasizes the urgency: “Every patient deserves care in a safe, hygienic facility. Without reliable water and proper waste management, health services can’t operate effectively. This report highlights progress, but many still face inadequate services. Governments must increase their investments now.”
Here are some key findings from the report:
- In 2023, around 1.1 billion people were served by healthcare facilities without basic water services. Three billion lacked basic sanitation, while 1.7 billion faced inadequate hygiene services. Additionally, 2.8 billion used facilities without proper waste management.
- In 2022, nearly 1 billion individuals depended on healthcare facilities with no electricity or an unreliable supply.
- On a positive note, in 2025, 101 countries shared validated data about water and sanitation services in healthcare, significantly up from 47 in 2020.
- Over 80% of countries have taken some action, like establishing standards for better services. Many Least Developed Countries, including Ethiopia and Rwanda, are showing strong commitment to improving these basic services.
- Despite progress, funding is still a major challenge. While many countries have approved plans for improvements, only 20% have reported enough financing to put these plans into action.
The findings will be addressed at a high-level meeting on September 24 at the UN in New York. This meeting, co-chaired by Hungary and the Philippines, aims to push for greater investments and strategies to ensure that every health facility around the world can provide safe and dignified care.
For further details, you can check the full report here: UN General Assembly Resolution.
The urgency of these improvements becomes even clearer when we consider historical contexts. Back in the early 2000s, many health facilities faced even greater challenges. Today’s progress, though significant, must accelerate to avoid reversing gains made over the past two decades.
The importance of investing in basic health services is backed by research. Studies indicate that countries prioritizing WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) in healthcare see lower infection rates and improved health outcomes.
While there’s a way to go, the commitment to enhancing healthcare conditions worldwide is becoming clearer and more coordinated. The push for a safer, more reliable healthcare environment is not just a goal; it’s a necessity.
