Yemen's hospitals, especially in the city of Taiz, are currently facing a serious health crisis. A 25-year-old pregnant mother who has been immobilized due to a bullet hitting her spine is an example of the dire situation for civilians. This mother, who has two other children, was trapped for two days in a house without food and water.
Severe Shortage of Medical Facilities
The United Nations and aid agencies have reported that health needs in the city of Taiz are critical, with a serious shortage of medicine, oxygen, surgical gloves, anesthetics, and fuel. Hospitals near the front lines in Yemen are facing a sharp increase in the number of patients, treating up to 700 war casualties in a week.
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Amaal Al-Sabri spoke about her condition, saying: "The bullet entered from the left and is now lodged near my spine. The doctors cannot remove it because I am more than four months pregnant." She added: "I am now surrendering to my fetus."
Impact of Conflicts on Health Services
The Taiz governorate, which houses about half of Yemen's 281,000 new displaced persons, has been severely isolated since October 3, and the conflicts have hindered the entry of humanitarian aid and the exit of civilians. In this area, casualty figures are very high, and patients with bullet wounds and complex injuries are being transferred to hospitals.
The spokesperson for the Red Cross, Hashim Asyar, said: "The healthcare system in Yemen is on the brink of collapse." Before these conflicts, more than 40% of hospitals and health centers across the country were either closed or operating partially. Concerns about disease outbreaks due to water shortages and waste accumulation have also increased.
Throughout Yemen, primary healthcare services for pregnant women have been disrupted, and in some hospitals, maternity wards have turned into emergency rooms. In the city of Taiz, the United Nations has reported that local midwives have been unable to work due to movement restrictions.
Healthcare services are not only under pressure but are also targeted by attacks. A hospital in the Sabir Al-Mawadim area of Taiz was hit by mortar shells for the second time this month, and an attack on an ambulance resulted in the death of the driver and a nurse.
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