Ministry of Health Warns of Health Services Collapse in West and Coastal Taiz
The Ministry of Public Health and Population has warned of the repercussions of the continued disruption of health services in the western and coastal districts of Taiz governorate. It noted that military escalation and Houthi-imposed restrictions on supply access threaten civilian lives and increase the risks of disease outbreaks and worsening medical conditions.
In a press statement, the ministry said that only about 20 percent of health facilities in the governorate's five coastal districts—Al-Makha, Dhubab, Al-Wazi'iyah, Maqbanah, and Mawza—are still operational, while a large number have closed or are partially functioning due to damage, looting, and shortages of medicine, supplies, and staff.
It clarified that the Martyr Abdulaziz Abdulmoghni Center and the Saudi Field Hospital have closed, while the Al-Wahja Health Center is operating partially. Additionally, 18 other health facilities have shut down, and more than 45 facilities face the risk of closure or service suspension due to running out of medicines, vaccines, family planning supplies, and therapeutic nutrition materials.
In the districts of Al-Shamayatayn and Jabal Habashi, the 11 health facilities that were operating in the affected areas have ceased operations, hindering patients' access to healthcare, especially for emergencies and pregnant women, amid road closures, deteriorating communications, and a lack of security.
The ministry stated that at least 14 other health facilities in areas further from the front lines require urgent support, while three facilities have suspended some of their services. This coincides with a rise in the number of displaced persons, which reached 81,444 in Taiz governorate, according to the International Organization for Migration.
It warned that the suspension of immunization, epidemiological surveillance, nutrition, reproductive health, and chronic disease treatment services could lead to long-term health consequences. It noted the registration of over 22,000 suspected measles cases with 128 deaths, 7,784 suspected cases of cholera or acute watery diarrhea, and 9,604 cases of dengue fever this year, according to World Health Organization data.
The ministry pointed out that the crisis has also affected health workers, with about 33 percent of them being displaced, while another 10 percent have been forced to stay home. Additionally, nine health workers have been dismissed, and more than 180 employees have lost their salaries, further restricting medical services.
The government called on the international community to provide urgent aid and sufficient resources to protect health facilities and workers, ensure access to essential medicines, supplies, and services, and support the recovery of the health system in Taiz and other affected governorates.
