Progress Report: WHO and UNICEF Reveal Key Advances in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Healthcare Facilities Across 107 Countries

The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recently updated their country progress tracker on water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), and waste services in healthcare facilities. This tracker now covers 107 countries, a significant increase from 75 two years ago. It aligns with the 2023 United Nations General Assembly Resolution focused on these vital services.

The data highlights how countries are working towards eight key steps to improve WASH, including setting national standards and enhancing health information systems.

Maggie Montgomery from WHO stated, “Almost every country is making progress. We’re seeing strong efforts in establishing standards. However, a major concern is that only 17% of countries have secured enough funding to maintain these essential services. This lack of financing puts patients and healthcare staff at risk.”

The latest report reveals that half of healthcare facilities globally do not provide basic hygiene, like soap or alcohol-based hand rubs. Around 3.85 billion people rely on these facilities, and 688 million of them visit places without any hygiene services. This increases their risk of infections.

Despite these challenges, there are positive trends. Over 90% of countries have started baseline assessments or set standards. Almost half are reworking their WASH and waste guidelines to include climate resilience, such as safe water storage and eco-friendly plumbing materials.

Lindsay Denny Naughton, a WASH Specialist at UNICEF, noted that real progress is being made, even in tough situations. When countries address multiple areas—like infrastructure and integrating WASH into national health monitoring—they see greater improvements. She stressed the importance of making equity a focus, especially for women, girls, and those with disabilities.

This updated tracker is set to be discussed in a global webinar on July 29. The WHO and UNICEF will share country insights and discuss what needs to be done to meet the 2023 UN Resolution targets. A more comprehensive Global Progress Report on WASH and waste in healthcare facilities will be released in October 2025.

Recently, WHO Europe held a meeting in Budapest to discuss how countries can implement global commitments on WASH effectively. They emphasized integrating these efforts into health, climate, and antimicrobial resistance strategies.

Montgomery highlighted the potential economic benefits, saying, “Investing in hand hygiene can yield a return of $25 for every dollar spent. The time is now for meaningful, sustainable improvements.”

This focus on improving WASH services is crucial not just for health, but also for ensuring a safe environment for everyone in healthcare settings. The journey ahead requires financial commitment and cooperation from all countries involved. For further details, you can refer to the country progress tracker provided by WHO and UNICEF.



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