WHO: Urgent support needed to provide health services for 15 million people in Yemen

GENEVA, 15 December 2015 – The World Health Organization and health partners are appealing for US$ 31 million to ensure the continuity of health services for nearly 15 million people in Yemen affected by the ongoing conflict.  Funding is urgently needed as the Yemeni health system has collapsed, leaving millions of vulnerable people without the care and medications they urgently need.  “WHO is appealing to donors to help us meet the urgent, immediate humanitarian needs of the injured, pregnant women, malnourished children and elderly who are bearing the brunt of a collapsing health system,” says Dr Ala Alwan, WHO Regional Director for the WHO Eastern Mediterranean. “We should not allow this to continue. With sufficient funds, we can reduce the risk of disease outbreaks, provide life-saving medications and vaccinate children to reduce avoidable deaths.”  Currently, WHO and health partners are providing essential medicines, supporting health services, and mental health psychosocial support in hard-to-reach areas through mobile clinics and primary health care centres. However, more funding is required to ensure that disrupted services are restored. “The funding requested will help WHO and our partners support vital health services in 3 major areas: casualty management for those injured due to the conflict, treatment for patients with chronic diseases, and disease surveillance and vaccination activities to prevent outbreaks,” says Dr Ahmed Shadoul, WHO Representa...
Source: WHO EMRO News - Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news