A new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF reveals substantial shortcomings in water, sanitation, hygiene and environmental health services across health-care facilities globally, according to a press release published on 18 August 2026. Despite progress since 2015, only four in ten facilities meet basic sanitation standards. Fewer than six in ten achieve basic environmental cleaning standards in patient rooms, wards, operating theatres, examination areas and toilets. The findings leave patients and health workers exposed to preventable risks. The report offers the clearest global picture yet of these essential services.
The publication, titled Progress on water, sanitation, hygiene, environmental cleaning and waste management in health-care facilities 2015–2025, was released through the Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (JMP). For the first time, global estimates are available for all five basic service areas. This includes the first estimates for basic sanitation and environmental cleaning. The number of countries with estimates for all five services rose from 29 to 39 in 2025. Global trends could not yet be calculated for sanitation or environmental cleaning.
In 2025, an estimated 85% of health-care facilities had a basic water service, 72% had basic hygiene services and 71% had basic health-care waste management services. Only 59% met the basic standard for environmental cleaning and 40% met the requirements for a basic sanitation service. Globally, 89% had some form of sanitation and 85% had usable toilets. However, only around half of facilities had sex-separated toilets, accessible toilets or facilities for menstrual hygiene. In least developed countries, only 24% met the basic environmental cleaning standard.
Environmental cleaning remains a serious concern, as contaminated environments contribute to health care-associated infections and the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Neither cleaning protocols nor trained staff were in place at 18% of facilities, serving approximately 1.5 billion people.
“A toilet is not enough if it is unsafe, inaccessible or does not meet the needs of women, girls and people with disabilities,” said Evariste Kouassi Komlan, Director of WASH at UNICEF.
He added that without basic WASH services, health-care facilities can pose serious risks to women during childbirth, newborns and young children. Bruce Gordon, Unit Head of Water, Sanitation and Health at WHO, said the findings show important progress but also expose major gaps.
The report urges countries to strengthen routine monitoring and to move beyond measuring whether infrastructure is present. Monitoring should assess reliability, safety, accessibility and cleanliness, and whether services meet the needs of patients and health workers. In May 2026, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution calling for stronger national standards, regular monitoring and reporting, and costed and financed plans for sustainable WASH, waste and electricity services. The resolution recognizes WHO and UNICEF as co-coordinators of global efforts. Both agencies are called on to continue supporting countries and expanding data coverage through the Joint Monitoring Programme.