Faith-based organisations and partners from across the world, including the Anglican Communion Health and Community Network (AHCN), gathered in Rome on 22–23 April, united around a shared commitment to improving water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in healthcare facilities.

The two-day meeting, called 'Committed to WASH in Healthcare Facilities: A Gathering of Faith-based Organizations and Allies to Accelerate Progress,' took place at the Jesuit Curia, a short walk from St Peter's Square, and was held under the patronage of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

The main objective was to secure concrete commitments, both financial and operational, to strengthen WASH services in healthcare facilities managed by faith-based organisations. At the same time, the event aimed to accelerate new initiatives, enhance collaboration with secular organisations and share results, lessons learned and future directions on the topic.

The event was co-convened by the Anglican Communion Health and Community Network alongside Caritas Internationalis, Catholic Relief Services, the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, Global Ministries/United Methodist Committee on Relief, Doctors with Africa (CUAMM), the Catholic Health Association of the United States, the African Christian Health Associations Platform (ACHAP) and the Accord Network. Co-Chair of the ACHCN, the Rt Revd Michael Beasley, was in attendance.

Faith-based organisations deliver 30–50% of healthcare services in some low-resource countries, often providing care where there would otherwise be none. The Catholic Church, the largest unified healthcare provider in the world, was the first to pilot a systemic initiative to bring safer WASH into its healthcare facilities. Similar initiatives were presented by Anglican and Methodist denominations, with other religious groups increasing engagement.

According to global studies, across 60 low-resource countries, 37% of healthcare facilities lack basic water services and 81% lack basic sanitation services. This critical absence of WASH means women have to haul water to give birth; maternal and infant morbidity and mortality increase, as do preventable illnesses and diseases, antibiotic resistance and poverty.

The event programme also gave attention to the crucial role of women's religious congregations in providing healthcare globally, as well as to the effectiveness of faith-based health networks in promoting health and human dignity in a spirit of solidarity and in harmony with Gospel values.

This week’s discussions tie in with the UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ 2018 call to action: ‘We must work to prevent the spread of disease. Improved water, sanitation and hygiene in health facilities is critical to this effort.’

In a recorded video message prepared for those gathering at the event, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, the Archbishop of Canterbury, said: ‘As a former nurse, I know that clean water and good sanitation are essential to safe and effective healthcare. I am therefore encouraged by the work already underway to strengthen Anglican health facilities in several countries, with more to come. I encourage all across our Communion to support this vital work.’

For more information

Participants in the 2026 faith-based gathering in Rome shared their progress and announced their commitments to WASH in healthcare facilities in advance of the meeting. Read it here

Find out more about WASH.

Find out about the Anglican Communion Health Network.