A new WHO and UNICEF report shows that health facilities have improved basic services since 2015. In 2025, 85 percent had basic water, 72 percent had hygiene and 71 percent managed health-care waste. However, only 40 percent met basic sanitation standards. Fewer than six in ten met basic environmental cleaning standards.
A usable toilet alone does not meet every patient's needs. Basic sanitation also requires safe facilities for women, girls and people with limited mobility. Cleaning standards require clear protocols and trained staff. Without these measures, patients and health workers face preventable risks. The report asks countries to monitor reliability, safety, access and cleanliness, not only whether equipment exists. Better data can guide funding and practical improvements. It can also reveal which communities are being left behind.