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WHO steps up response in Yemen as health facilities continue to shut down

Xinhua, September 24, 2015 Adjust font size:

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stepped up health response in Yemen as health facilities in the war-torn country continue to shut down, which leaving thousands of people lack of basic health service.

According to WHO, the six month conflict has left thousands of people in need of treatment, caused extensive damage to health facilities, and fanned a dengue fever outbreak.

WHO warned that the numbers of people needing health care are likely to increase. Numerous health facilities are on the verge of collapsing under the weight of the conflict.

"The situation is alarming," said Ahmed Shadoul, WHO Representative for Yemen, "The health crisis is deepening as more health facilities run out of basic supplies and more hospitals and blood-transfusion centers stop functioning. Health facilities are operating at minimum capacity. "

WHO is delivering extensive health support in response to the crisis in Yemen, providing almost 200 tonnes of critical medical supplies and more than 745,000 liters of fuel to keep health services operational amidst intensifying fighting.

Amid increasing casualty numbers, WHO has supported three surgery sections in Zaid Hospital, Sana'a, with trauma and surgical kits and will continue to support 10 nutrition mobile clinics in Aden, Lahj, Hadramout and Hodeida governorates to diagnose and treat children aged six months to five years.

As part of keeping routine primary health care services functional, WHO and partners launched last Saturday a second round of integrated outreach activities, including immunization services, integrated management of childhood illness, reproductive health and nutrition services, and treatment of conditions such as raised blood pressure and the common cold. More than 300,000 children aged under one year are expected to be reached.

"These tasks are not easily accomplished in the midst of relentless violence. We need protection and safety for all people working to provide health care," added Shadoul.

As of Sept. 17, as many as 5,039 deaths and 25,653 injuries had been reported by health facilities in Yemen. Endit