Devastating impact of ongoing conflict has severely hampered the functionality of hospitals and health facilities, disproportionately affecting pregnant women and newborns, a UN official reports. Hicham Nahro, the deputy representative for the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) in Yemen, revealed to Anadolu that less than half of the country’s medical facilities are functional, with a mere 20% offering services for maternal and neonatal care.
Due to frequent displacements and the challenges of rural living, many pregnant women are unable to reach maternity hospitals or health centers in urban areas. Financial constraints further prevent rural families from accessing necessary healthcare. Nahro highlighted the dire circumstances some pregnant women face, including undertaking long journeys on foot or by camel to receive medical attention.
Despite efforts by the UNFPA to support nearly three million Yemeni women and girls last year, the need for assistance, particularly in ensuring a healthy pregnancy, remains high. Nahro pointed out that 5.5 million women lack adequate access to reproductive health services, with 2.7 million pregnant and lactating women suffering from acute malnutrition.
Since 2014, Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war, with Iran-backed Houthi rebels capturing significant territories, including the capital, Sanaa. This has led the internationally recognized government to relocate to Aden. The UN predicts that in 2024, over 18 million Yemenis will require humanitarian aid and protection, with 17.6 million facing severe food insecurity and millions of women and children in need of treatment for acute malnutrition.–Web Desk