[20/05/2026 12:55]

GENEVA - SABA
Minister of Public Health and Population Dr. Qassem Buhaibeh has called on the international community to strengthen its partnership with Yemen in supporting the health sector and enabling it to overcome current challenges and move from emergency humanitarian response toward sustainable health development.

In Yemen’s speech before the 79th session of the World Health Assembly held in Geneva, Minister Buhaybah reviewed the key challenges facing the health sector amid the continuing humanitarian crisis. He affirmed that the healthcare system continues to face significant pressure due to declining funding, deteriorating infrastructure, the migration of healthcare personnel, and ongoing internal displacement, in addition to the influx of irregular migrants from the Horn of Africa, all of which place additional burdens on the country’s limited health services.

Buhaybah praised the role played by the World Health Organization and its partners in supporting Yemen’s health sector.

He noted that existing partnerships have contributed to the operation of more than 60 percent of health facilities, the provision of primary healthcare services, and the strengthening of immunization, nutrition, maternal and child health programs, as well as support for emergency response capacities and the operation of central public health laboratories.

The Minister explained that these challenges have negatively impacted health indicators, including rising malnutrition rates, increased prevalence of vaccine-preventable diseases, weaknesses in mental health services, as well as the growing effects of climate change and the spread of vector-borne diseases.

He also pointed out that the Ministry has begun implementing the National Health Strategy for 2026–2030, aimed at promoting sustainable health development and establishing a national fund for sustainable health financing in partnership with supporting entities.

Buhaybah stressed the importance of continued support from the World Health Organization and health sector partners, as well as strengthening the technical and technological support provided to Yemen, in a way that enables the healthcare system to address current and future challenges and improve the quality of healthcare services delivered to citizens.

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