Healthcare Report: Billions at Risk
Despite long-standing global health goals, nearly 50% of healthcare facilities worldwide still lack basic hygiene services such as water, soap or handrub at points of care.
According to the WHO-UNICEF July 2025 update, over 3.85 billion people are served by such facilities, with 688 million receiving care without any hygiene provision at all.
The updated WASH Tracker now spans 107 countries, up from 75 in 2023. Over 90% have conducted baseline assessments or adopted hygiene protocols.
A growing number of nations are integrating climate resilience and sustainability into their WASH policy frameworks, targeting consistent upgrades in rural and urban healthcare settings.
Only 17% of countries have secured financing for these services, leaving most vulnerable to gaps in execution. With the full Global Progress Report set for release in October, experts stress the need for urgent resource allocation to prevent cross-infection risks and improve patient outcomes.
Ask the expert
Have a question about this article? Put it to the people in it. We pass your details on and they come back to you directly.
