The World Health Organization (WHO) has labeled the Essential Health Services Project, funded by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief), as a lifeline for millions of Yemenis suffering the toll of a protracted war that destroyed most of Yemen’s health infrastructure.
In partnership with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), and as part of large-scale efforts to support health in Yemen, WHO leads the Essential Health Services Project – a $20.5 million project that aims to enhance Health Cluster coordination and improve access to the Minimum Service Package in vulnerable and priority districts across the country.
WHO and KSrelief, through this project, support Lawdar hospital in the Abian governorate.
Nabil Hussein is the Director of Lawdar hospital. He has been working at the hospital for 25 years now. “We receive 200 to 250 cases per day. Which exceeds our operational capacity,” he says.
Hundreds of people come to Lawdar hospital from surrounding districts to seek medical care, specifically surgical care as it is the only hospital that offers surgical care in the area.
“The pressure is extreme and the resources are scarce. But we ensure our best effort as much as operational capacity allows. The hospital is in dire need of more health staff and specialized health care professionals due to the pressure and the number of patients coming in. More needs to be done, and we are looking forward to continued support by WHO and KSrelief,” Nabil adds.
“We are grateful for the continued dedication of WHO in such difficult circumstances. The support we received has been substantial. The hospital has been equipped with machines, medical and non-medical supplies. The efforts also included support to our therapeutic feeding centre and the COVID-19 isolation units. Not to mention the highly beneficial quality care training that was offered to health staff in the hospital,” he says.
