[02/11/2026 01:56]

TAIZ-SABA

First Deputy Governor of Taiz Dr. Abdulqawi al-Mikhlafi has warned of an impending collapse of the governorate’s health sector as the continued Houthi siege and severe shortages of essential medical supplies threaten the delivery of healthcare services.

During a visit to the Public Health and Population Office on Monday, al-Mikhlafi reviewed the state of healthcare services and the challenges facing medical facilities. He stressed the need to sustain medical services despite the impact of the war and the ongoing Houthi siege, which has also subjected healthcare facilities, ambulances and civilians to attacks and violations.

He directed the Health Office to compile a comprehensive, documented report on violations against the health sector in the coastal and al-Hujariyah districts, including attacks on medical facilities and their use as military barracks, in breach of international laws and conventions protecting medical facilities and personnel.

Health Office Director General Dr. Fahd al-Nadhari outlined the mounting challenges, warning that healthcare services in 12 hospitals and 18 health centers were at risk of shutting down. He said 120 health facilities had completely ceased operations, while another 66 were only partially operational in districts under Houthi control.

He also warned that services at the governorate’s two dialysis centers were under threat. The centers provide approximately 6,300 treatment sessions every month to around 1,100 patients.

The deterioration in healthcare services has affected 186,415 children under five and 22,986 pregnant women. A further 5,057 children suffer from severe acute malnutrition and 27,752 from moderate acute malnutrition, while 9,454 infants under one year have been deprived of routine immunization services, al-Nadhari said.

He added that emergency medicines and medical supplies had fallen to just 30 percent of required stocks, while fuel availability had dropped to 5 percent and oxygen supplies to 2 percent.

The health sector has also suffered the loss or damage of 15 ambulances and 22 intensive care beds, while some medical facilities have been turned into military barracks.

Al-Mikhlafi commended the efforts of health workers to keep medical services running, urging greater coordination among health authorities and improved performance to ensure continuity and quality of care.

The meeting warned that the continued deterioration was threatening the provision of essential healthcare, with potentially severe consequences for patients, women and children, and underscored the urgent need for intervention to supply medicines, medical equipment, fuel and oxygen.

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