In many health facilities across Ghana, a safe birth, a sterile surgery or even a clean pair of hands may not be guaranteed—not because of a lack of expertise, but because of lack of adequate water, sanitation, and electricity.
Despite progress in improving access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services, too many healthcare facilities across Ghana still lack the basics needed for safe and quality care. A recent Harmonised Health Facility Assessment indicates, 81% of health facilities have basic water and 56% have basic hygiene. Rural areas are far worse, with facilities lacking reliable electricity and clean water, undermining health care delivery, infection prevention, and patient safety.
Without safe water, functional sanitation, reliable power, and proper waste management, healthcare becomes compromised. Patients, providers, and families are all at increased risk of infection and hospitals cannot meet basic safety or quality standards.
Recognizing the gaps, urgency and need to improve WASH in health systems, World Health Organization in partnership with WaterAID, UNICEF and the Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS) supported the Ghana Health Service and Ministry of Health to convene a multi-stakeholder advocacy dialogue.
The dialogue brought together over sixty representatives across fourteen sectors spanning health, education, planning, utility providers, local government, professional associations, academia, and civil society to reflect and explore opportunities to enhance WASH in healthcare facilities in the country. This wasn’t just another dialogue, it marked one of the most inclusive national conversations on the subject to date.
Speaking on behalf of the WHO Ghana Representative, Dr Angela Ackon underscored the economic and public health urgency of the issue.
“The message is clear – the lack of WASH in healthcare facilities not only compromises quality of health care delivery, but also significant economic implications. We can’t save millions of lives without accelerated actions and investments to scale up WASH services in healthcare settings”, she said.
The dialogue brought together over sixty representatives across fourteen sectors spanning health, education, planning, utility providers, local government, professional associations, academia, and civil society to reflect and explore opportunities to enhance WASH in healthcare facilities in the country. This wasn’t just another dialogue, it marked one of the most inclusive national conversations on the subject to date.
Speaking on behalf of the WHO Ghana Representative, Dr Angela Ackon underscored the economic and public health urgency of the issue.
“The message is clear – the lack of WASH in healthcare facilities not only compromises quality of health care delivery, but also significant economic implications. We can’t save millions of lives without accelerated actions and investments to scale up WASH services in healthcare settings”, she said.
Adding a powerful frontline perspective, Honourable Professor Titus Kofi Beyou, Member of the Parliament and surgeon, recalled his own clinical experience. “Imagine having to rely on unsafe water to clean your hands before a surgery. I know first-hand, its importance for improving patient safety, and so, I will always be one of the first to champion WASH in our Health facilities”, he shared.
Stakeholders reviewed Ghana’s current WASH landscape, discussed the burden of healthcare-associated infections, and identified pathways for improved governance, equity, financing, monitoring, and community engagement. A standout moment came from the Bongo District in the Upper East Region, where local leaders shared practical steps taken to improve WASH at the facility level:
• Assigning WASH focal persons and improving data reporting in DHIMS2
• Regular WASH/IPC assessments and action planning
• Monthly clean-up campaigns and internal facility-led maintenance
These are real-world examples of what is possible when systems are aligned, and local leadership is empowered.
Stakeholders reviewed Ghana’s current WASH landscape, discussed the burden of healthcare-associated infections, and identified pathways for improved governance, equity, financing, monitoring, and community engagement. A standout moment came from the Bongo District in the Upper East Region, where local leaders shared practical steps taken to improve WASH at the facility level:
• Assigning WASH focal persons and improving data reporting in DHIMS2
• Regular WASH/IPC assessments and action planning
• Monthly clean-up campaigns and internal facility-led maintenance
These are real-world examples of what is possible when systems are aligned, and local leadership is empowered.
Dr. Franklin Aseidu Bekoe, on behalf of the Director General, Ghana Health Service, reminded stakeholders of the scale of the challenge.
“The challenges in the provision of WASH in healthcare facilities are multisectoral – the health sector cannot do this alone. It requires our collective efforts to scale up and sustain coverage of WASH and electricity services, especially in the remote parts of our country”, he said.
“The challenges in the provision of WASH in healthcare facilities are multisectoral – the health sector cannot do this alone. It requires our collective efforts to scale up and sustain coverage of WASH and electricity services, especially in the remote parts of our country”, he said.
The dialogue was grounded in key WHO global policy, evidence and monitoring framework, including the Global Framework for Action 2024-2030 for WASH, Waste and Electricity in all Healthcare Facilities, which outlines the leadership, coordination, and evidence-based country-level actions to accelerate to deliver equitable, safe, and sustainable WASH and electricity services all levels of care.
Importantly, stakeholders developed a formal communique outlining priority actions and endorsed the development of an advocacy roadmap. They also agreed to reactivate the national WASH and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Technical Committee Group to drive implementation and oversight.
Importantly, stakeholders developed a formal communique outlining priority actions and endorsed the development of an advocacy roadmap. They also agreed to reactivate the national WASH and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Technical Committee Group to drive implementation and oversight.
Access to safe water, sanitation, and electricity is not a luxury—it is a prerequisite for quality healthcare. As Ghana works to achieve universal health coverage, the dialogue reaffirmed a simple truth: WASH and electricity must be part of the essential health package.
WHO remains committed to working with the Government of Ghana and partners to improve health infrastructure, strengthen data systems, and ensure that no patient—especially women, girls, and vulnerable groups—is left behind. Every clean surgical glove, every safe childbirth, every infection prevented—starts with water, light, and dignity.