UN reports only 40% of global health facilities meet basic sanitation standards

The United Nations released a new assessment on Tuesday revealing that only 40 % of health‑care facilities worldwide meet basic sanitation standards for accessible and usable toilets. The report, issued by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, also found that 11 % of health‑care settings have no sanitation services at all, leaving patients, staff, and visitors without essential facilities.

The findings, drawn from a global survey of 1,200 health‑care institutions, highlight a persistent gap in hygiene infrastructure that can compromise infection control and patient safety. While the data do not break down the figures by region, the report notes that low‑income countries are disproportionately affected, with many facilities lacking even basic hand‑washing stations. The UN stresses that improving sanitation in health‑care settings is a critical component of broader public‑health efforts and a prerequisite for meeting international health‑security targets.

In response to the report, UN officials urged governments, donors, and the private sector to prioritize investments in sanitation infrastructure. They also called for stronger monitoring mechanisms to ensure that facilities not only have toilets but that they are functional, accessible, and regularly maintained. The organization plans to publish follow‑up data in 2025 to track progress toward universal sanitation coverage in health‑care environments.