Yemeni Minister of Public Health and Population, Dr. Qasem Buhaibeh, discussed with the U.S. Ambassador to Yemen, Steven Fagin, support for the health sector in Yemen, and mother and child health support programs.
As reported by the “Yemen” satellite channel, the Yemeni Health Minister emphasized the importance of the continued support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for mother and child health and nutrition programs, and enhancing access to healthcare for 5.7 million people.
For his part, the U.S. Ambassador in Yemen pointed to the significant improvement in the provision of healthcare and the ongoing cooperation between Yemen and the United States through USAID, which contributes to the improvement and development of the health sector.
Yemen’s health sector has been under extreme stress due to the prolonged conflict, leading to widespread humanitarian needs. In 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that Yemen’s health system was on the brink of collapse, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict and economic crisis. The situation has severely impacted access to essential healthcare services and medical supplies, with an estimated 18.2 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.
The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has been actively involved in supporting Yemen’s health sector. Recent initiatives include a $3 million program launched in partnership with the United Nations to build on previous activities supporting Yemen’s COVID-19 response. This initiative aims to transition from emergency response to more sustainable health system strengthening, integrating COVID-19 vaccines and improving clinical care.
Furthermore, USAID has funded a $1.1 million program through UNICEF to train 750 health workers in community-based services, community mobilization, and infection prevention and control. This program is part of a broader effort to strengthen the local health infrastructure and ensure better service delivery, especially in critical areas such as primary healthcare and vaccination.
