The World Health Organization and UNICEF said in a new report released on Tuesday that half of the world’s health facilities lack basic sanitation services such as water and soap.

Important reasons: According to WHO and UNICEF, poor sanitation puts some 3.85 billion people dependent on institutions at risk of illness and infection.

• The report says unsanitary environments and health care workers play a “critical” role in the transmission of pathogens, which can perpetuate health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

What they say: Maria Neira, Director of the WHO Environment, Climate Change and Health Department, said:

• Hospitals and clinics without safe water and basic sanitation “can be death traps for expectant mothers, newborns and children,” says Kelly, UNICEF’s Director of Risk Reduction. Ann Naylor said. She noted that about 670,000 newborns die from sepsis each year.

detail: The WHO-UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program reports estimates of national, regional and global progress on drinking water, sanitation and sanitation.

• The Sanitation report has data covering 40 countries and representing 35% of the world’s population. That’s an increase from his 21 counties in 2020.

By numbers: Only 51% of health care centers had sanitary facilities at care points and hand-washing facilities. The other half did not meet WHO standards for basic sanitation services.

• 11% of the world’s health facilities (serving about 688 million people) lack sanitation services.