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Reps. Meng, Blumenauer, And LaHood Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Increase Access To Safe And Sustainable Water, Sanitation, And Hygiene In Healthcare Facilities

September 18, 2023

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Reps. Grace Meng (D-NY), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), and Darin LaHood (R-IL) introduced the bipartisan Global WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) in Healthcare Facilities Act, which would help improve U.S. efforts to increase access to water, sanitation, and hygiene in healthcare facilities across the globe.  

The announcement of the bill is in conjunction with the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, during which a resolution will be considered calling for sustainable, resilient health care facilities by 2030 with a focus on safe, universal water, sanitation, hygiene, waste, and electricity services.  

The legislation would require the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to develop and implement an action plan to support partner governments in their goals of increasing access to WASH in healthcare facilities, working to integrate WASH services into pandemic preparedness and response and improve the ability of patients and healthcare workers to access WASH at points of care.  

“We have long known that infections spread without access to clean water, safe sanitation, and good hygiene in healthcare facilities," said the Representatives. “Today, we have the resources and tools to improve sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in healthcare facilities, preventing millions of infections a year. The Global WASH in Healthcare Facilities Act seeks to improve and expand upon U.S. efforts to increase access to WASH in healthcare facilities, a fundamental component of global health security. Today, we are introducing legislation that impacts the lives of billions around the world, as well as our collective global health and economic security. We look forward to our bill becoming law.”  

"We applaud Representatives Meng, Blumenauer, and LaHood for shining a light on the impact of water, sanitation and hygiene in healthcare facilities," said Kelly Parsons, CEO of WaterAid America. "This important legislation will track life-saving resources for doctors, nurses and their patients, including newborns and mothers when they are most vulnerable. It also recognizes the critical work being done by the U.S. to safeguard human dignity and ultimately save lives." 

Clean water, safe sanitation, and good hygiene in healthcare facilities are fundamental to infection prevention and control and the delivery of safe, dignified, quality healthcare for all. Yet alarming gaps exist in the provision of WASH in healthcare facilities across many countries. Globally, nearly a quarter of all healthcare facilities have no basic water services, and one in two do not have adequate facilities to wash hands. Diseases like COVID-19 spread as a result of poor hygiene and contribute to patient morbidity and mortality, which is exactly what the Global WASH in Healthcare Facilities Act is trying to mitigate.   

Rep. Meng sits on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations and Reps. Meng, Blumenauer, and LaHood co-chair the Global Water Security Caucus.  

The legislation is endorsed by: WaterAid, Faiths for Safe Water, WRA Global, Helvetas USA, Food for the Hungry, Daughters of Charity International Project Services, Global Health Council, World Vision, Islamic Relief USA, ADRA International, Christian Connections for International Health, Disabled Children's Fund, CARE USA, Children's AIDS Fund International, PAI, IRC WASH, Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Millennium Water Alliance, InterAction, and Save the Children.    

A copy of the bill can be viewed here

Issues:Health