Hospitals and healthcare facilities are expected to provide a safe environment for treatment and recovery.
However, poor water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services can increase the risk of preventable infections among patients, healthcare workers and caregivers.
A new WHO and UNICEF report has highlighted significant gaps in sanitation and hygiene standards across healthcare facilities worldwide.
According to the report, only four in 10 healthcare facilities globally met basic sanitation standards in 2025. The situation was also concerning when it came to environmental cleaning, with fewer than six in 10 facilities meeting basic standards for cleaning areas such as patient wards, rooms, operating theatres, examination and treatment areas, and toilets.
Ghana Faces Major Hospital Sanitation Challenges
The situation in Ghana’s healthcare sector remains a major public health concern.
The WHO/UNICEF data indicates that only 16 percent of health facilities in Ghana met basic sanitation standards in 2025.
Meanwhile, 65 percent of health facilities had access to basic water services, while only 54 percent met basic hygiene service standards.
The figures highlight the importance of improving hospital sanitation, clean water access, hygiene facilities and infection prevention measures across healthcare facilities in Ghana.
Poor WASH conditions can place vulnerable patients at greater risk of infections and can also affect healthcare workers and caregivers who spend significant amounts of time within health facilities.
Why Hospital Hygiene Matters
Maintaining proper water, sanitation and hygiene standards in hospitals is an essential part of patient safety and quality healthcare delivery.
Healthcare facilities require reliable access to clean water, functional toilets, proper waste management and effective cleaning systems to reduce the spread of infections.
The latest figures therefore underline the need for continued investment in Ghana’s healthcare infrastructure, particularly in sanitation, hygiene and water services.
Improving these basic services could contribute significantly to infection prevention, patient safety and better healthcare outcomes across the country.
Source: newsthemegh.com