High incidence of tuberculosis and cholera... deadly epidemics invading Houthi-controlled areas
English - Sunday 09 April 2023 الساعة 08:15 pm
Sana'a, NewsYemen, exclusive:
Health reports issued from areas controlled by the Houthi militia recorded an increase in the number of cases of tuberculosis and cholera during the past year, amid fears of an escalation of infection cases and deliberate disregard by the health authorities hijacked by the Iran-backed militias.
A health report issued by the National Program for the Control of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases in Sana'a indicated that, during the past year alone, the epidemiological surveillance teams were able to record about 10,500 cases of tuberculosis in the governorates under Houthi control. Pointing out that there is a frightening increase in the disease compared to the year 2014, which recorded about 8,000 cases in all Yemeni governorates.
According to the report, the incidence of tuberculosis in their areas is estimated at 48 new cases per 100,000 population. He pointed out that the number of deaths from tuberculosis rose from a rate of 6 per 100,000 people to 9 per 100,000 people.
Sources working in the National Tuberculosis Control Program in Sana'a revealed that the program was unable to provide medical, diagnostic and treatment services to about 40,000 patients with tuberculosis as a result of poor support and looting by Houthi leaders in control of the Ministry of Health. Noting that the disruption of the program's services and the looting of aid provided by international and international organizations exacerbated the suffering of patients and prompted about 3,600 people to flee and flee from the hell of suffering outside the Houthi-controlled areas in order to obtain urgent treatment services. Not to mention the displacement of many infected cases, which led to the spread of the disease and the development of drug resistance.
The sources indicated that 2,720 tuberculosis patients were denied diagnosis and treatment with second-line medicines, while 36,470 cases were treated with first-line medicines for the period 2020-2022.
For its part, the World Health Organization announced, a few days ago, that more than a thousand cases of cholera had been recorded in Yemen since the beginning of the new year 2023.
In a recent report on cholera outbreaks in 23 countries around the world, the United Nations organization stated that it had received reports of 1,724 suspected and laboratory-confirmed positive cholera cases in Yemen, during the period from January 1 to March 12, 2023.
The UN organization indicated that 3 deaths were reported during the same period, stressing that the incidence of the disease reaches 6 cases out of 100,000 people.
The organization warned of the possibility of an increase in the number of people infected with this disease in the coming months, especially in countries facing complex humanitarian crises and the effects of climate change with fragile health systems, including Yemen.
The health sector under Houthi control in the unliberated areas is facing difficult conditions, due to the collapse of the health system due to the destruction of infrastructure and the looting of budgets and support allocated to health facilities and facilities. As well as the Houthi militia's obstruction of prevention and vaccination campaigns against serious diseases, including corona, diphtheria, polio, and measles.
And the World Health Organization announced that more than 20 million people in Yemen are now in need of urgent health assistance, calling on the international community to support the deteriorating medical sector in Yemen.
The organization said in a statement, "The country's health system still falls short of meeting the needs of the population, with only 54% of health facilities operating at full capacity, while 46% of them are partially or completely out of service." "The world cannot continue to ignore Yemen. We call for expanded and sustained international support for health systems and the brave health workers on the front lines," it added.
The statement quoted the WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, as saying: "I witnessed first-hand the suffering, illness and death of innocent civilians caught up in this crisis when I visited the country." Adding: "Our ultimate goal is to build a safer and healthier future for all Yemenis, however, health cannot be achieved without peace," stressing: "Peace is possible and it is the only solution, but it needs everyone's commitment."
The statement indicated that the overstretched health facilities are barely providing basic services as they struggle with shortages of staff, funds, electricity, medicines, medical supplies and equipment. Donors are calling for US$392 million to reach 12.9 million people with essential health assistance in 2023.
