Reference :
V-F-CR-F-01807-N
Date :
24/04/2017
Title :
Yemen : conflict has catastrophic consequences for health care
Duration :
00:06:43
Editor :
unknown
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
publication without restrictions
Production company :
ICRC
ICRC producer :
HASSAN, Hizam Radhi Jabber Al Kaabi; AL-MAMARI, Iscander
Production reference :
AV631N
Description :
The people of Yemen, young, and old, are suffering catastrophic consequences because of the country’s two year conflict, and nowhere is that more visible than in the health care system.
The United Nations describes Yemen as the world’s single largest humanitarian crisis: almost 19 million of Yemen’s 24.4 million people need humanitarian assistance.
Almost half a million children are suffering severe malnutrition, famine across the country is now a real danger. Tens of thousands have been killed and injured. Boys like 12 year old Mohammad Qasam, who is being treated for serious head injuries in Al Jamhori hospital in Sanaa, are being denied every aspect of childhood.
The hospital is supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross, but still faces major shortages of medicines, staff, and equipment. What medicines the hospital does have are given freely to those in need, but often, life saving drugs are only available, at a price, on the private market. Some patients, like 20 year old Mukhtar Ismail, whose back was broken in an airstrike, face going without vital treatment.
Many hospitals in Yemen have been damaged or destroyed in the conflict, those that can still function are overwhelmed with patients, and, pharmacist Arwa Ahmed explains, the shortages affect not just the war wounded.
The pressure on Yemen’s remaining hospitals, the difficulty of reaching them because of the conflict, and the shortage of medicines, mean people with chronic illnesses, like farmer Ali Qaid, find it almost impossible to get the vital treatment they need. Ali has travelled over 200 kilometres to Al Thawra hospital in Hodeidah because he needs dialysis.
Many of Yemen’s health professionals have fled the conflict, those who remain, like surgeon Nabil Qasim al-Haj in Al Jamhori hospital, are struggling to cope with an influx of war wounded. Critical injuries, including burns, and major head injuries are often sent to Al Jamhori.
Yemen’s health service is trapped in a vicious circle of conflict, lack of medicines and equipment, poverty, and overwhelming patient need. But despite all this, many dedicated medical staff, like nurse Ibstisam Ali, stay and persevere, her only reward, helping her patients.
But for patients like 20 year old Mukhtar Ismail, the only real way to end the suffering is to end the conflict. The violence in Yemen has scarred him mentally as well as physically.
Meanwhile twelve year old Mohammad Qasam has his own dreams for the future.
Mohammad’s hopes are modest, health and education are the rights of every child. But peace may still be a long way off in Yemen. As the international community gathers for this week’s pledging conference, the very least the world can do for patients like Mohammad and Mukhtar, is to support the medical care they so desperately need.
English title :
Yemen : conflict has catastrophic consequences for health care
Colour/B&W :
colour
SD/HD :
HD
Resolution :
1920 x 1080
Aspect ratio :
16/9
Original material/format :
H264
Best material/format available :
ProRes 422
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