Haneen Al-Wahsh – Women in Development and Peace
Yemen faces significant challenges in the field of reproductive health, especially in light of the ongoing conflict and difficult humanitarian conditions. Official institutions play a vital role in strengthening reproductive health services by collaborating with international and local organizations and providing necessary support to health facilities.
Official Institutions and Promoting Reproductive Health
“The Ministry of Public Health and Population is the main body responsible for providing reproductive health services in Yemen. The Ministry works on developing health policies and implementing national programs aimed at improving the health of mothers and children. These programs include providing primary health care, raising awareness about the importance of reproductive health, and providing the necessary medical services for pregnant women and new mothers,” according to Mansoor Al-Hubaishi, Director General of Emergencies.
Official institutions in Yemen cooperate with many international organizations to enhance reproductive health services. These organizations include the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which provide financial and technical support to health facilities, contribute to training medical personnel, and work to provide essential medicines and medical supplies, according to reports published by these organizations on their official websites and pages.
Regarding health projects and programs, official institutions implement numerous health projects and programs in cooperation with international and local organizations. For example, the primary health care services project supported by King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) aims to improve access to health services in priority areas across the country.
The World Health Organization and the United Nations Population Fund also work to provide life-saving reproductive health services in various health facilities in many Yemeni governorates.
Specialized Centers for Reproductive Health
Among the most prominent health centers and facilities in Yemen that provide reproductive health services is Al-Jamhuria Teaching Hospital in Aden; it provides comprehensive services in the field of reproductive health, including maternal and child care. Al-Sadaqa Hospital also provides reproductive health services and primary health care for women and children. While in Sana’a Governorate, there is Al-Thawra General Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in Yemen, providing integrated reproductive health services, and Al-Sab’een Maternity and Child Hospital, which specializes in maternal and child care and providing reproductive health services.
Also, in Taiz, there is Al-Thawra General Hospital and the Maternity and Child Hospital. In Hadhramaut Governorate, Ibn Sina Hospital provides various health services, including reproductive health, alongside Al-Mukalla Hospital. In Al-Hodeidah Governorate, there is Al-Thawra General Hospital and the Maternity and Child Hospital. In Ibb Governorate, there is Al-Thawra General Hospital and the Maternity and Child Hospital, in addition to health centers in districts under the offices of the Ministry of Public Health.
Challenges to Reproductive Health in Yemen
Official health facilities in Yemen suffer from a severe shortage of funding and medical supplies, which negatively affects the quality of health services provided. Reports indicate that half of the health facilities in the country are not functioning or are only partially functioning and that only two-thirds of the functioning health facilities provide reproductive health services due to a shortage of staff, supplies, and medical equipment.
Dr. Reema Ismail, an obstetrician and gynecologist, believes that the ongoing conflict in Yemen has led to the destruction of health infrastructure and the disruption of essential health services. It has also caused the displacement of millions of people, increasing the pressure on the remaining health facilities. In addition, the unstable security situation makes it difficult for women and girls to access reproductive health services in many areas.
She adds: “Yemen suffers from high rates of malnutrition, especially among pregnant women and new mothers. Malnutrition increases the risks of premature birth and health complications for mothers and children. The spread of epidemics, such as cholera, further increases the challenges facing reproductive health in the country.”
Solutions and Initiatives to Enhance Reproductive Health
Official institutions, in collaboration with international organizations, are working to strengthen Yemen’s healthcare system by improving health infrastructure and providing necessary funding. These efforts include providing medicines and medical supplies, training medical personnel, and improving the quality of healthcare services provided in various health facilities.
According to treatments implemented by governmental institutions, Dr. Iman Muhammad, an obstetrician and gynecologist, says: “Health awareness and education play a crucial role in promoting reproductive health in Yemen during this period of conflict. Institutions and international organizations have implemented awareness campaigns targeting women and girls in various Yemeni governorates to increase awareness of the importance of reproductive health and provide necessary information to maintain the health of mothers and children.”
She continues: “This also includes providing psychosocial support to women and girls in Yemen through counseling and psychological support services. These services aim to help women cope with the psychological and social challenges they face due to the ongoing conflict and difficult humanitarian conditions.”
Regarding proposed solutions and treatments, Dr. Reema Ismail says: “Improving reproductive health in Yemen requires implementing a range of interventions and treatments aimed at strengthening the healthcare system and providing necessary care for women and girls. This includes providing medicines and medical supplies and providing medical teams and mobile clinics to provide reproductive health services in remote areas and areas lacking health services. These teams also help provide primary healthcare, safe delivery services, and nutrition for pregnant women.”
She adds: “It is also necessary to implement health awareness and education campaigns targeting women and girls to increase awareness of the importance of reproductive health and how to maintain the health of mothers and children. These campaigns include providing information on family planning and disease prevention. In addition, healthcare workers must be trained and provided with the necessary support to ensure the provision of high-quality health services. This includes training midwives, nurses, and doctors on the latest practices in the field of reproductive health.”
She also emphasizes the importance of strengthening health infrastructure by rehabilitating damaged health facilities, providing the necessary funding for their operation, and strengthening the health system by establishing effective health policies and implementing national programs aimed at improving maternal and child health.
Official institutions have demonstrated their role in enhancing reproductive health services in Yemen through cooperation with international and local organizations, implementation of health projects and programs, and providing necessary support to health facilities. Despite the significant challenges facing reproductive health in Yemen, the ongoing efforts to strengthen the health system, health awareness and education, and the provision of psychosocial support contribute to improving maternal and child health in the country.