The Minister of Public Health and Population, Dr. Taha Al-Mutawakel, along with UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Ted Chaiban, visited Al Sabeen Maternity and Child Hospital in Sana’a.
They discussed the nature of the services provided by the hospital and the obstacles to work, especially the shortage of medicines, supplies, medical equipment and the lack of fuel to run the hospital’s generator.
Al-Mutawakel emphasized the hospital’s need for medical equipment, especially nurseries and ventilators, stressing that the organization should fulfill its responsibilities in supporting the hospital, which is considered the most important hospital for mothers and children.
Dr. Al-Mutawakel and the UN official met the Director of the Health Office in the Secretariat Dr. Mutahar Al-Marwani and the Director of Al-Sabeen Hospital, Dr. Mageda Al-Khatib, during their visit to the departments of internal nurseries, child care, emergencies and the feeding center.
Sana’a health office has reported that the total estimated losses of damages incurred by the health sector in the province as a result of the US-Saudi aggression over six years amounted to two billion and 340 million riyals.
The report indicated that 27 hospitals, centers and health units have been totally or partially damaged by the bombing of the aggression’s warplanes. Some of them are suspended due to the economic situation of the country.
The report stated that the bombing of the aggression’s warplanes caused damage and destruction of three ambulances, causing them to be completely out of service. In addition, severe damage occurred to the buildings and equipment of hospitals and branches of the Health office in a number of the province’s districts.
The aggression also caused power cuts to 310 health facilities in the province. The health sector also suffered material losses and faced difficulties in providing medical services.
The director of the province’s Public Health and Population Office, Dr. Khaled Al-Muntasir, affirmed that targeting the health sector is war crimes against humanity and a flagrant violation of international norms and laws.
