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المستشفى المعاد تأهيله مؤخراً في مأرب يمثل شريان حياة للمرضى المحتاجين
*هذه المعلومات متوفرة فقط باللغة الإنجليزية.
Ma’rib – In an area of Yemen that hosts nearly a million displaced people and thousands of migrants, medical facilities struggle to meet the increasing demand for health care required by the area’s residents who constantly confront the effects of war.
Years of conflict in Yemen have resulted in a total collapse of the health infrastructure. Only half of the country’s health facilities are functional. The suspension of payments for healthcare workers has worsened the situation.
Al Wahdah Hospital on the outskirts of Ma’rib city is the only reliable medical facility that thousands of migrants and displaced people count on for health services in the area.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), with support from the European Union, finished rehabilitation work on the hospital in August of last year. Since then, local health authorities have become better equipped to serve communities impacted by ongoing conflict and displacement.
Suad, a nurse in Al Wahda Hospital, recalls that women used to come to the hospital to give birth but limitations on staff and equipment meant that many could not be treated there and had to find other places to give birth.
“Before, the hospital could not keep up with everyone who came to our door. We only provided basic health services with a very small team of medical staff. There was not adequate equipment or medicine,” explained Suad.
After undergoing rehabilitation and being equipped with more beds and other furniture through the EU-funded project, pregnant women are no longer being turned away.
Today, Al Wahdah Hospital has a functioning obstetrics and gynecology department, neonatal intensive care unit and a pediatric outpatient clinic run by 50 health staff. It is now open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
“The hospital is now able to save lives and to receive more patients from all communities in need,” explained Suad.
Wadha, a 29-year-old mother who lives in Al Shabwani displacement site, came to Al Wahdah Hospital to give birth to her second daughter. Due to complications, she underwent a cesarean section and remained in the hospital for three days.
“I underwent all checkups, tests and follow-up appointments for my pregnancy in this hospital,” explained Wadha, feeling relieved that she did not have to travel far to receive proper care.
“With the support of the medical staff, I have overcome many complications. Now I can return home in good health with my baby,” she added before checking out of the hospital.
Once rehabilitation finished, Mohammed and his eight children began to come to Al Wahdah Hospital for all their health needs.
“It is hard for displaced people to receive high-quality health services when they are displaced in camps. This place has become one of the only hospitals in Ma’rib where we can receive free care from qualified staff,” said Mohammed.
Al Wahdah Hospital now has the potential to serve at least 35,000 people annually. In 2021, more than 25,700 patients were treated here. This includes thousands of women who have been able to give birth in a safe environment at the hospital and receive the follow-up care they and their babies need.
“Improving access to health services enhances the resilience of vulnerable populations,” said Sadeq Alramly, IOM Senior Programme Assistant.
“These interventions play a crucial role in improving and strengthening the quality, availability and access to essential health services over time,” he added.
In addition to the support from the European Union, the United Nation’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), and the governments of Germany and Japan have helped IOM stock Al Wahdah Hospital with equipment, medicine, and medical supplies and to provide health worker incentives.
IOM also established a Migrant Response Point in one wing of the hospital where thousands of migrants come for not only for their primary health needs, but also psychosocial support, humanitarian assistance and protection services.
Al Wahdah Hospital is one of five hospitals that IOM and the European Union are rehabilitating in Yemen. In other parts of Ma’rib, the Organization has also rehabilitated and equipped Al Matar Health Unit which serves an estimated 59,000 families and Maneen Al Hadad Health Unit which benefits nearly 18,000 families.
