Year Issued: 2025

Global Progress Report on WASH, Waste and Electricity in Health Care Facilities (2025)

Posted on September 24, 2025 by -

Essential services for quality care

Water, sanitation, hygiene, health care waste and electricity services in health care facilities
Global progress report

This joint WHO/UNICEF report provides the latest progress in ensuring universal access to water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), waste and electricity services in health care facilities. Based on data from 101 countries, the report highlights progress in establishing standards, conducting baseline assessments, and developing national roadmaps. Progress has been made even in least developed countries, reflecting a readiness to implement. However, billions are still served by facilities without basic WASH, waste and electricity services. The report emphasizes that significant acceleration of effort and investment is urgently needed to meet 2030 global targets.

Results-based funding to providesafe drinking water services forpublic schools and health care facilities in Zambia

Posted on March 12, 2025 by -

This report, developed by Uptime Global, the University of Oxford, and the Government of Zambia, presents a results-based funding model for ensuring safe drinking water in Zambia’s public schools and health care facilities. It outlines the implementation of the SafeManzi model, a performance-based service contract that ensures timely repairs, water quality testing, and sustainable maintenance. The report details a pilot project in Mumbwa district, where 100 institutions are testing this approach, and presents a roadmap for national-scale implementation by 2030. If fully adopted, Zambia could become the first African country to provide universal safe drinking water in public institutions. Find the report below!

Water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions in 186 healthcare facilities of the Catholic Church

Posted on March 11, 2025 by -

This paper focuses on water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions in 186 health care facilities affiliated with the Catholic Church, primarily located in low-income regions. The research assessed various aspects of WASH infrastructure and practices within these facilities, aiming to identify strengths and areas needing improvement. The study revealed that while some HCFs had adequate water supply and sanitation facilities, many faced challenges such as intermittent water availability, inadequate sanitation infrastructure, and insufficient hygiene practices. Read the findings in the paper!

Safe management of pharmaceutical waste from health care facilities: global best practices

Posted on February 24, 2025 by -

The document presents a comprehensive overview of established guidelines for the proper handling of pharmaceutical waste. It utilizes case studies to exemplify effective strategies in managing such waste, with a specific focus on pharmaceutical waste originating from various healthcare facilities including secondary and tertiary hospitals, primary care centers, dental clinics, and laboratories. The content addresses pharmaceutical waste generated during routine operations as well as in cases of outbreaks and emergencies. Examples of this type of waste include unused medications, unsealed pharmaceutical products, loose or bulk tablets and capsules, and pharmaceuticals compromised due to issues in cold chain storage.