30 June 2020 – Over the past 8 months, WHO and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) have joined forces to ensure access to health care for the vulnerable in remote areas through the provision of a minimum service package. The support has enabled WHO to sustain the health system at primary and secondary levels, by allowing 293 facilities to remain functional and provide health access to 4.3 million people.

This support has also allowed WHO to prioritize the procurement and delivery of lifesaving medicines, including treatment for patients with chronic life-threatening conditions, through which more than 110 340 dialysis sessions were delivered to 5500 patients at risk of kidney failure, contributing up to 50% of the total costs of the dialysis sessions among all 21 centres available in the country.

The partnership between WHO and KSrelief has supported immunization of 65 673 children with pentavalent vaccine against (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b) at fixed health facilities across the country. Moreover, nearly 94 352 women were assisted for safe birth deliveries and 23 198 caesarean sections allowed women to safely deliver. WHO was also able to provide over 160 534 major and minor surgeries.

As KSrelief has been the main funding partner of WHO in 2019–2020, their generous donation supported up to 72% of more than 4 million total consultations reported between October 2019 and May 2020.

Though much has been accomplished, more needs to be done to secure Yemenis’ right to health and to save many more lives, now more than ever with the added burden and unprecedented threat of COVID-19.

Now more than ever Yemen’s health system needs support

More than 5 years of humanitarian crisis have turned Yemen into the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with more than 80% of the population, approximately 24 million people requiring some form of humanitarian assistance and protection. The crisis has crippled an already ailing health system, with only 51% of health facilities fully or partially functional with an acute shortage of trained staff, medicines, equipment, fuel and water. This has left Yemeni people’s right to health hanging by a thread, as nearly 19.7 million are in need of health care access. And now, the already vulnerable people of Yemen are faced with the added threat of COVID-19. With wealthy countries struggling to contain the virus, in Yemen the added burden on medical facilities could result in a catastrophic death toll.

Sameer, 60-years-old, receives dialysis treatment at Al-Sadaqa hospital in Aden

30 June 2020 – Esam is only 16 years old and he battles colon cancer. Esam receives treatment at the national oncology centre in Sana’a governorate, supported by WHO.

“I am hopeful. I’m looking forward to a time when I am feeling better so I can lead a normal life like my friends,” he says.

Patients who suffer from chronic diseases lead a challenging life. The additional burden of not being able to access or afford treatment is unimaginable. An estimated 35 000 cancer patients (10% of them children) and more than 1 million people who suffer from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are in need of humanitarian aid.

Sameer is 60 years old. He receives dialysis treatment at Al Sadaqa hospital in Aden. “Being a dialysis patient during this time in Yemen is agonizing. It is crucial that this support continues so we continue to have access to the sessions our lives depend on,” he says.

WHO and KSrelief are procuring up to US$ 24 million worth in supplies to cover the life-saving treatment needs of patients living with chronic life-threatening conditions such as cancer, kidney failure and NCDs, including diabetes. Up to 110 340 dialysis sessions were delivered to 5500 patients at risk of kidney failure between October 2019 and May 2020. This generous support from KSrelief contributed to up to 50% of the total costs of the dialysis sessions among all 21 centres available in the country. 

Patients with chronic, life-threatening diseases need access to treatment

If over 5 years of war, ongoing armed conflict and being the worst humanitarian crisis in the world is not enough, Yemen’s humanitarian situation continues to worsen now that COVID-19 is posing additional pressure on the health system. Yemen’s already collapsing infrastructure may face complete obliteration if aid is not provided. The lives of 19.7 million people in need of health care will be at risk. Many of these people are vulnerable communities who are either displaced, disadvantaged, suffering from chronic illnesses, malnourished or all the above.

WHO and partners are aware of the severity of needs in the country and are sparing no effort to support the health system from further deterioration to save the lives of people in need of health care.

Currently, WHO and KSrelief are supporting 189 hospitals across the country. That is 75% of the 252 operational hospitals in Yemen. Up to 4.34 million people will have access to health services through this support. This includes the provision of the Minimum Service Package at the primary and secondary level by supplying medicines and medical equipment and fuel.

Health officials looked to Dr Yassin as a key source of scientific and historic knowledge on outbreaks and epidemiological surveillance in Yemen

By: Sadeq Al-Wesabi

20 June 2020 – Years after his retirement, Dr Yassin Abdul-Warith's passion for fighting epidemics across Yemen never waned nor did he rest until he died from one of the diseases he fought: COVID-19.

One of the oldest and most well-known epidemiologists in Yemen, Dr Yassin had been working for around 50 years fighting different epidemics in the country, including Rift Valley fever, diphtheria, malaria, cholera and lately COVID-19.

Health officials looked to Dr Yassin as a key source of scientific and historic knowledge on outbreaks and epidemiological surveillance in Yemen.

“Dr Yassin played a major role in detecting and responding to most outbreaks and communicable diseases hitting Yemen,” said Dr Adel Al-Jassari, the malaria control expert for WHO Yemen and former director of the National Malaria Control Programme.

Dr Yassin dedicated his life to contain diseases and outbreaks, travelling to all Yemen’s governorates to help curb the spread of infectious diseases

He added: “As a senior epidemiologist and surveillance advisor, he dedicated his life to contain diseases and outbreaks, travelling to all Yemen’s governorates to help curb the spread of infectious diseases. “His death was a big loss to the health sector and WHO in Yemen.”

With profound knowledge and experience, Dr Yassin mentored thousands of health workers in the field of epidemiology and emergency response.

“He was one of the heroes of primary health care in Yemen and is credited for establishing field epidemiology. He was among the first respondents to any disease outbreak guiding the health sector towards surveillance and effective response,” said Dr Jamal Nasher, the Health System Coordinator for WHO Pakistan and former Deputy Minister for Planning at Yemen’s Ministry of Health and Population.

Weeks before his death, Dr Yassin was responding to COVID-19, training rapid response teams and visiting isolation centres to assess the situation and needs.

“I worked with him closely for years. His dedication and humanity can never be forgotten. He left a significant legacy nearly in every single health programme,” said Dr Saeed Al-Shaibani, a laboratory National Professional Officer for WHO Yemen.

The death of Dr Yassin shocked not only his family and those who worked with him for years, but also many new nurses and physicians who received training and guidance from him.

Dr Yassin had been working for around 50 years fighting different epidemics in the country, including Rift Valley fever, diphtheria, malaria, cholera and lately COVID-19

“Every time he visits us, he listens carefully to our urgent needs and try his best to help provide us with these needs. He was always there when we needed training, guidance and advice, especially during the cholera outbreaks,” Dr Amal Al-Haidari, a physician at Aza Health Centre in Sanaa, recalled.

Beside his rich medical knowledge and background, Dr Yassin is also known for his benevolent goodwill and deep humanity

“He was never reluctant when it came to helping others, especially those who needed medical treatment but couldnt afford it,” said his brother Professor Jamal Abdul-Warith.

“Before specializing in epidemiology, he worked as a surgeon in areas where security situation was destabilized. He helped treat and save the lives of many people who couldn’t afford the cost of surgical operations. Most cases were treated free-of-charge” he added.

“Medicine was not only a profession for Dr Yassin, but a humanitarian service and mission.”