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World Health Day 2023: commemorating seven decades of public health history in Yemen
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. — WHO Constitution
When diplomats met to form the United Nations in 1945, one of the earliest things they discussed was the setting up a global health organization. On 7 April 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) was born and celebrated with the first-ever World Health Day.
Five years later, in 1953, Yemen became the 81st country to join the WHO.
This year’s World Health Day marks WHO’s 75th birthday, and its 70th year of service to the people and government of Yemen.
Acute food insecurity threatens child survival across Yemen
Young Yemeni boyWith continued support from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), the World Health Organization (WHO) is providing essential medicines, medical supplies, equipment, and training to eight high-priority hospitals in Yemen to treat severe acute malnutrition (SAM) among children under five.
Eight long years of grinding conflict has devastated Yemen’s economy, while widespread food shortages and soaring prices have pushed about half of the country's population of 31.6 million people into acute food insecurity. Of this number, 1.15 million children under age 5 are presently suffering from moderate acute malnutrition (MAM), and another 540 000 children under 5 are suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) – with a direct risk of death.
Eight years and counting: achieving peace through health in conflict-ravaged Yemen
30 March 2023 – The conflict in Yemen has become a largely forgotten and neglected humanitarian crisis in which two-thirds of the population – more than 20 million people – are in present need of urgent health assistance. But as this protracted conflict now enters its ninth year, there is renewed hope for eventual peace and health, for all Yemenis.
“Arabia Felix”, or “Happy Yemen” – as this beautiful and once-prospering country was called in ancient Roman times – is deeply suffering and impoverished today.
Since March 2014, long years of conflict have driven Yemen into a dark abyss of human deprivation and despair. Multiple life-threatening health risks, and a severely crippled and overwhelmed health system, have contributed to making Yemen home to one of the world’s most protracted and dire humanitarian crises.
Currently, only 54% of health facilities are functioning, while 46% are closed or only partially operating. Facilities that are still open are badly overstretched and struggling to provide even most basic services, due to shortages of staff, electricity, medicines, supplies, and equipment. Most health workers are receiving reduced payments if any, compared to previous years – resulting in further deterioration of essential services.
WHO advocacy to empower female health workers in Yemen
28 March 2023, Aden | Sana’a – In a context of increasing restrictions on women in Yemen, WHO is advocating for gender equality and to address gender-based violence. Through the Emergency Human Capital Project (EHCP) supported by the World Bank, WHO is negotiating and succeeding in increasing the participation of female health workers in capacity-building and field work activities.
“Empowering female health workers has immediate benefits for the women involved, as they are given learning opportunities and financial allowances. It also contributes to Yemeni women more broadly, having better access to essential health services”.
In 2022, reports of restrictions on the movement of women in Yemen started to be increasingly reported. For example, in many governorates, women should not travel without a male escort (e.g. father, brother or husband) (known as mahram). This meant that female health workers could not participate in multi-day WHO training activities far from their place of residence. In some cases, social norms restrict women from being treated or physically examined by male doctors. One female health worker explained, “The lack of female health workers in Yemen has exacerbated the humanitarian emergency, as it forces Yemeni women to go without the care they need.”
The impact of such restrictions is reflected in estimates of maternal mortality in Yemen. Before the humanitarian emergency, in 2015, Yemen was estimated to have 164 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births. Last month, WHO, the World Bank, UNICEF, UNFPA and UNDESA released new estimates indicating Yemen’s maternal mortality ratio had increased to 183 as of 2020.
In response to this challenging situation, WHO conducted a rapid gender analysis assessment of EHCP activities, which showed that women account for only around 18% of participants in EHCP training, workshops, field visits and other activities linked to per diem payments.
WHO communicated these findings by official letter to the authorities in Aden and Sana’a and requested support to achieve 50% female participation in all World-Bank-funded activities going forward. The Ministry of Public Health and Population replied to WHO the next day in concurrence and nominated a focal point for gender in Aden.
In parallel, a series of consultative meetings have been held with the Ministry's gender-based violence (GBV) focal point in Aden and a joint operational plan was developed to establish protection units in EHCP hospitals. A grievance redress mechanism is also in place in all EHCP hospitals to report any case related to violence, sexual exploitation or harassment. In addition, WHO has conducted orientation sessions to increase awareness and staff of the Organization have consulted and sought feedback from 500 female health workers on issues related to gender-based violence.
As part of these efforts, WHO also provided survivor-centred care and psychological first aid training to 129 nurses, midwives and doctors towards improving the services available to people experiencing gender-based violence. One of the participants provided feedback that “since the eruption of war in Yemen there are increased cases of women experiencing sexual violence and GBV, making prevention and response efforts even more important. One doctor added “I appreciate this initiative by WHO on making a commitment to supporting health staff in addressing GBV as an urgent public health matter and ensuring that those experiencing violence receive high-quality care.”
Related links
Women at the forefront of the COVID-19 response in Yemen, 31 August 2022
