Lives Threatened by Funding Shortages: Yemen on the Brink of Health Collapse
The WHO warns that Yemen's health sector is on the verge of collapse due to funding shortages, posing a serious threat to millions of lives in the region.
The World Health Organization has issued a dire warning regarding the imminent collapse of the health sector in Yemen, emphasizing that any delays in funding could mean the loss of real opportunities to save lives amidst one of the most complex health emergencies in the world. Over 23 million people urgently require humanitarian assistance, while only about half of the health facilities in the country remain operational, indicating a deteriorating health crisis that requires immediate attention.
In Taiz governorate, for instance, the Republican Hospital, one of the largest in the densely populated area, showcases the severity of the situation as it operates under limited capacity. The hospital is on the brink of collapse, with hundreds of patients cramped in various departments, reflecting the growing humanitarian needs. The renal failure department exemplifies the struggles faced, as patients like Abdal-Salam Aqlan endure a slow death due to inadequate treatments and outdated medical equipment, coupled with dire living conditions.
Aqlan has been undergoing treatment for years but is now at significant risk due to a lack of dialysis sessions and the advancement of the equipment he relies on, which has far exceeded its operational lifespan of three years, now in service for about 15 years. Further compounding the crisis, patients are left to bear the costs of necessary medications and solutions out of their own pockets due to the lack of external support, which illustrates a grim reality for Yemen's health care if immediate action is not taken to secure funding and resources.