The Houthi conflict over health resources exacerbates the tragedy of Yemeni patients
The Yemeni capital, Sana'a, and areas under Houthi control are witnessing a marked escalation in internal conflicts between the group's factions. The rivalry has moved beyond the political and military spheres, penetrating deep into the service sector, particularly the health sector. Field reports indicate that this fierce struggle for control over financial resources and international medical aid poses a grave threat, exacerbating the suffering of patients and threatening the collapse of what remains of the already dilapidated healthcare system.
War for influence and resources
It is no longer a secret that the health sector in Houthi-controlled areas has become an open arena for settling scores and amassing wealth. Current disputes revolve around the right to oversee the budgets of major government hospitals and control the distribution of medicines and medical supplies provided by international donor organizations. Sources indicate that influential figures are seeking to install loyal supervisors in hospital administrations to ensure that revenues and fees collected from patients are diverted into private accounts, rather than being reinvested to improve medical services or pay the salaries of healthcare workers, which have been suspended for years.
Patients pay the price
Amid this administrative and financial conflict, the Yemeni citizen finds himself the primary victim. The power struggle has paralyzed administrative decision-making and led to a severe shortage of life-saving medications, particularly for patients with chronic illnesses such as kidney failure, cancer, and diabetes. Many patients have been forced to resort to the black market to purchase medications at exorbitant prices, or to seek treatment at private hospitals whose costs are beyond the reach of the vast majority of Yemenis living below the poverty line.
Background to the humanitarian crisis
This renewed conflict cannot be separated from the broader context of the Yemeni crisis, which has persisted since the Houthi coup and takeover of state institutions in late 2014. The United Nations has classified the crisis in Yemen as one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with more than two-thirds of the population in need of some form of assistance and protection. The health sector has been severely impacted throughout the years of war, resulting in more than half of health facilities being out of service and widespread outbreaks of epidemics and infectious diseases.
long-term effects
The continued mismanagement of the health sector and its transformation into a source of illicit profiteering threatens a health catastrophe whose effects could last for years to come. In addition to the emigration of specialized medical professionals seeking a safe and stable work environment, administrative corruption is eroding the trust of international donors, potentially leading to a reduction in medical and humanitarian aid to Yemen. This would be a devastating blow to the hopes of millions of patients who depend entirely on such aid for their survival.
