Yemen: MSF hands over medical activities in Hodeidah’s Al-Salakhana hospital to local health authorities
3 October 2022
Sana’a, Yemen – International medical organisation Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Border (MSF) handed over its medical activities in the 21 September (Al-Salakhana) hospital, Hodeidah, to local health authorities.
MSF started working in Al-Salakhana hospital four years ago to treat wounded people near the frontlines of the war. As surgical and medical needs increased, MSF expanded its lifesaving activities. With the situation becoming less acute in recent months, MSF decided to hand over its activities in Hodeidah, while continuing to respond to medical needs elsewhere in the province.
MSF teams continue to provide emergency care, paediatric care and neonatal care in Ad-Dahi rural hospital and Al-Qanawis mother and child hospital, and to support local health centres providing primary healthcare. MSF teams also stand ready to respond to medical emergencies or outbreaks of disease across Yemen, including in Hodeidah province.
In Al-Salakhana hospital, MSF teams managed the emergency room and operating theatres, providing emergency care for the most critical patients in support of the Ministry of Health. Over the past four years, MSF teams received more than 63,000 patients in the emergency room and performed 6,448 surgeries. MSF staff also responded to seasonal outbreaks of disease, including dengue fever and malaria, as well as to the various waves of COVID-19.
In 2022, MSF teams extended the emergency room in Al-Salakhana hospital and boosted its bed capacity. They also renovated the hospital laundry to ensure high standards of infection prevention and control.
Before handing over its activities, MSF provided Al-Salakhana hospital with enough medical supplies to last for three months to ensure continuity of healthcare for patients.
MSF is a medical humanitarian organisation whose actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of neutrality, independence and impartiality. We provide assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics and disasters, based on medical needs and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.t MSF
MSF first started working in Yemen in 1986. Its teams have worked continuously in the country since 2007. In 2021, MSF teams currently work in 11 hospitals and provide support to another 20 health facilities across 14 provinces.