Health programmes: WASH in health care facilities (HCF) initiative

Water, sanitation, hand hygiene, waste management and environmental cleaning (WASH) services in health care facilities are fundamental for the provision of quality, safe care. With huge gaps in current services, WHO, in collaboration with UNICEF and partners around the world, is working to improve WASH in health care facilities, including the safe management of health care waste. This work aligns with, and contributes directly to, several Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 6 on safe management of water and sanitation and Goal 3 on health. Urgent action is needed to improve water, sanitation and hygiene and safe and sustainable health care waste management. WHO is working with partners to support countries in implementing the 8 practical steps, including developing national roadmaps, strengthening regular monitoring and improving services through the use of the Water and Sanitation for Health Facility Improvement Tool.
Leading Entity
World Health Organization (WHO)
Collaborating Entity(ies)
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
Contributing Action Number
CA3.23
Primary Entry Point
3: Align UN system support for integration
Additional Entry Point(s)
4: Accelerate progress and transformational change
Output(s)
Output 3.2: Integrated policy frameworks to manage water and sanitation across sectors are supported by the UN system using latest data and evidence
Output 4.5: Governance of water and sanitation is improved through UN system support, including with emphasis on the needs of developing countries
SDG 6 Target(s)
SDG target 6.1: Achieve safe and affordable drinking water
SDG target 6.2: Achieve access to sanitation and hygiene and end open defecation
Water-related work on other SDGs
Type of Engagement
Convening of stakeholders
Policy advice and thought leadership
Normative support (e.g. development of normative guidance, guidelines and standards)
Capacity development and technical assistance
Geographical Scope
Global level
More information
https://www.washinhcf.org
https://www.who.int/teams/environment-climate-change-and-health/water-sanitation-and-health-(wash)/health-care-facilities

Leading Entity

United Nations System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation

The Contributing Actions are key initiatives supporting the United Nations System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation, aligning individual and joint efforts across UN entities and partnering organizations to advance global water and sanitation goals. These actions are integrated into the Collaborative Implementation Plan (CIP) Results Framework 2025-2028, which provides a structured approach to achieving system-wide impact through coordinated UN efforts.
The Priority Collaborative Actions outlined in the framework focus on enhancing water security, improving governance, strengthening climate resilience, and accelerating progress on sanitation and hygiene. By fostering system-wide collaboration among UN agencies, these actions help drive policy coherence, knowledge sharing, and innovative solutions to address the world’s most pressing water challenges.