[01/03/2018 01:33]

CAIRO-SABA
Minister of Health and Population Naser Baoom has said that "16 million Yemenis lack health care services and more than one million and a half children under the age of five are suffering malnutrition" as a consequence of the Houthi coup and insurgency.

In a speech he delivered in the 49th session of the Arab League Health Ministers in Cairo on Thursday, he expressed his hope that the session would come up with decisions and recommendations that contribute to revitalizing Arab common action in the health field and to improving the health care system in the Arab world.

He pointed out that the wars in several Arab countries has killed and maimed thousands of people and displaced millions of people including health workers outside their countries. "As a result it has become impossible to offer primary health care or treatment except at the minimal levels."

He said the war caused the people to lose access to safe drinking waters, food and electricity which "negatively impacted the health situation in those countries and led to the spread of several illnesses such as fevers and diarrheas."

He said that Yemen is looking forward to real cooperation with the Arab states in fighting epidemics and improving the overall health situation.

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