Latest WHO/UNICEF data show that there are major global gaps in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in health care facilities: half of health care facilities do not have basic hand hygiene services; one in five facilities have no water services, and one in ten have no sanitation services.
3.85 billion people use facilities that lack basic hand hygiene services
1.7 billion people use facilities that lack basic water services
780 million facilities use facilities with no sanitation services.
Across the world’s 46 least-developed countries, the problem is even greater: half of health care facilities lack basic water services. Furthermore, the extent of the problem remains hidden because major gaps in data persist, especially on environmental cleaning.
WASH services in health care facilities, so often taken for granted, are needed more than ever to protect vulnerable patients and health workers.