Yemen's healthcare infrastructure in desperate need: Health Minister

Yemen has exhorted all Arab nations to lend their hands to support the country and its deteriorated healthcare sector amidst swelling with deadly epidemics, including Covid19.

The Arab state needs more support and help to be able to provide its services to the people, said Health minister Qasem Buaibehon on Monday during a virtual meeting of Arab Health Ministers, according to Yemeni news agency Saba.

During the meeting, the health minister informed his counterparts on current epidemic challenges in Yemen and measures taken by the ministry to face a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. He affirmed that the state is in need of backing and logistic support from other regional states so as to try and better the situation.

Earlier, the Ministry of Public Health and Population stated in a report that approximately 228,000 cholera cases were noted in the past year,while the count of seasonal influenza infections reached 6,615 cases,Saba noted. Several other suspected cases recorded in the Arab state were diphtheria, malaria and dengue fever, of which 57,000 cases confirmed.

Spokesman for the Ministry of Health Najeeb Al-Qubati indicated that the health sector faces repercussions of conflicts, poverty and reducedinvolvement of government and its budgets for the sector. The recurring conflicts since the 2011 Arab spring has crushed Yemen's medical infrastructure beyond repair.

UN bodies has named Yemen as the largest humanitarian crisis in the world. About 80 per cent of the population, with more than 12 million children included, are in dire need of aid and basic amenities.

With the advent of pandemic, the crisis has only worsened and has left the country in the risk of famine.