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HEALTH CLUSTER BULLETIN April-May 2020

YEMEN Emergency Level: Level 3

Reporting period: 01-04-2020 to 31 -05-2020

HIGHLIGHTS HEALTH SECTOR

During April and May 2020, Health Cluster

Partners supported a total number of 2624

Health Facilities (16 Governorate Hospitals, 127

District Hospitals, 59 General Hospitals, 19

Specialized Hospitals, 652 Health Centers, and

1751 Health Units).

The cumulative total number of suspected

Cholera cases from January 1st to May 31st 2020

is 137003 with 36 associated deaths (CFR

0.03%). Children under five represent

23% whilst the elderly above 60 years of age

accounted for 6.0% of total suspected cases.

The outbreak has so far affected in 2020: 22 of

23 governorates and 292 of 333 districts in

Yemen.

As of 31st of May 2020, Health Cluster Partners

supported a total number of 186 DTCs and 770

ORCs in the 147 Priority districts and 253 DTCs

and 1015 ORCs at the National Level.

71

14 M

HEALTH CLUSTER PARTNERS

PEOPLE IN ACUTE NEED

KITS DELIVERED TO HEALTH FACILITIES/PARTNERS

21 IEHK BASIC KITS

0 IEHK SUPPLEMENTARY KITS

0 TRAUMA KITS

538 OTHER TYPES OF KITS

SUPPORTED HEALTH FACILITIES

2,624 HEALTH FACILITIES

2,078,028 OUTPATIENT CONSULTATIONS

72,962 SURGERIES

89,566 ASSISTED DELIVERIES (NORMAL &

C/S)

VACCINATION

45,414

PENTA 3

EDEWS

1,982 SENTINEL SITES

FUNDING US$

627.2 M REQUESTED

0M (0%) FUNDING RECEIVED

BY 31ST MAY 2020(SOURCE FTS)

19.7M PIN of Health Assistance

15.8M Targeted with Health Interventions

3.34 Million** IDPs

627M Funds required

1Million Returnees

All Health Cluster

Coordination meetings are

conducted virtually

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Public Health Risks, Priorities, Needs and Gaps

There are about 51% fully functional Health Facilities (HFs), 36% partially functional and 13% remain

non-functional (HeRAMS 2018). The Majority of the Yemeni population have limited access to health

services because of the harsh economic conditions, which impacts their ability to seek health services.

As a result of transport costs, poor road infrastructure and insecurity, roadblocks and advancing

frontlines, access challenges continue to further complicate the already worsened situation.

COVID-19 outbreak has been registered in many countries in the region. WHO risk assessment of virus

reaching Yemen is still at low, but many preventive and response measures have been taken as per

WHO COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Strategy that endorsed by health authorities in Yemen.

Those measures include measures at points of entries (PoEs), improve the testing capacity in Public

Health Labs in five governorates and reagents, initiated the establishments of Isolation Units identified

by MoPHP, provide equipment and medical supplies to operationalize those IUs. Enhancement of the

capacities of the CPHL has been supported with training and technical support from WHO. The situation

is being monitored closely for any updates or change.

COVID-19 Highlights

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Yemen was declared on April 10th 2020. As of May 30th 2020,

327 positive cases have been reported, 81 deaths, and 16 recoveries (please note that these figures

represent the southern part of the country only).The real number of the cases is unknown due to low

testing capacity and sharing of information by the authorities. The UN and all of its partners are working

under the assumption that the country is in a full-scale community transmission.

Aid agencies have scaled up the COVID-19 response; prioritizing suppression of virus transmission

through community engagement; procuring and distributing medical supplies and equipment; saving

Situation Update

Yemen is in the midst of the worst manmade humanitarian crisis in the world. The people in need has

increased reaching a whopping 24.1 million people out of 29 million people. Out of the 24.1 million

people in need, 19.7 million person require some sort of health assistance and 14 million out of those

are in dire need of health assistance. 45 Health cluster partners with ongoing active projects are

currently supporting and responding to the health needs of the Yemeni people working in 2624 health

facilities all over Yemen. Providing continuous support and health services requires the sustainability of

funding for the health operations in Yemen, which supports the most vulnerable groups in the country.

Intensified fighting and spread of conflict areas has led to an increasing number of IDPs all over the

country. This, in addition to current spread of epidemics such as Cholera and COVID-19 has deteriorated

the conditions of these vulnerable groups and increased the needs. Health Cluster partners are

responding to their needs by mobile health clinics and service provisions at camps.

In addition to the all current epidemics and conflict, the Yemeni people now have to deal with another

threat, The Corona virus. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Yemen will be disastrous and will

lead to more suffering of the people. More information are detailed in the below COVI-D-19 Highlight.

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lives by supporting COVID-19 clinical readiness; and safeguarding the public health care system1. Add

graph

As of May 2020, 38 health facilities have been identified by the health authorities to be supported to

function and operate as Isolation Units across the country as phase one. Those isolation units were

included in WHO Response plan funded by the World Bank, of them 16 IUs are operational so far in

North and South. Among the response activities of COVID-19, scale up the capacities of surveillance

and RRTs in 333 districts in Yemen, training sessions on case management and IPC were conducted in

most of governorates of Yemen.

There is ongoing discussion with Health Cluster and WHO as a cluster lead agency to give those health

partners who have funding and technical capacity to step in and support few COVID-19 isolation units

in governorates where cases are reported high number of cases particularly in the South. Five health

partners (IRC, SCI, ADD, QRCS and IRY) have confirmed having financial capacity to support isolation

units. MSFs France, Belgium, Spain and Swiss are doing great efforts in COVID-19 response by

supporting and running (fully or partially support) 4 isolation units in Aden, Sana’a, Ibb and Al-

Hudaydah.

As COVID-19 was spreading in neighboring countries, Health Cluster has encouraged health partners

to support aspects of COVID-19 response in two folds:

Ensure and scale up the support in the health facilities (non COVID) they are currently run in terms of

COVID related activities such as Risk communication and engage effectively in community awareness,

scale up IPC activities, case definition training,

Coordinate with other clusters’ partners such as CCCM and WASH to work together in guidance and

vulnerable groups (IDPs, refugees and migrants) are aware of COVID-19 prevention and protection

measures

Those who could manage to support isolation centers to treat mild and moderate cases so the burden

on isolation units can be reduced.

FIGURE 1 COVID-19 CASES – DAILY

1 WHO Report for May 2020.

1

5

13

2

10

4

9

1

17

5

9

5

15

21

18

6

2

37

13 1312

7

1011

16

7

22

5

27

13

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

10Apr

13Apr

16Apr

19Apr

22Apr

25Apr

28Apr

01May

04May

07May

10May

13May

16May

19May

22May

25May

28May

31May

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Health Facilities Mapping of COVID-19 Activities

Within various COVID- 19 response efforts, Health Cluster team decided to start a monthly mapping

for the COVID measures that health partners have supported in NON-COVID health facilities. The

mapping of May 2020 which 25 health partners have responded, shows that despite of partners’ efforts

to scale up COVID measures, but there are still gaps need to be filled (indicated as planned activities

by partners). Those gaps were clearly reflected in Risk communication and community engagement,

health staff training on IPC and case management, prepositioning of IPC materials and triage.

Communicable Diseases

From the 1st of January to the 31 of May, 2020 there were 137003 cholera suspected cases reported,

36 associated deaths and the outbreak has affected 22 of 23 governorates and 292 of 333 districts in

Yemen. Al-Hudaydah, Al-Baydha, Sana’a governorate and Taiz are the highest governorates, which

reported highest numbers of suspected cases of cholera during month of May.

FIGURE 2 EPI CURVE: NUMBER OF SUSPECTED CASES AND THE CFR FROM WEEK 1 2019 TO WEEK 21 2020- SOURCE – EOC

Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health

There were 19,974 new hypertensive and 4,075 individuals with mental health illness who received

medical attention and psychosocial support by health partners during the months of April and May

2020.

Health Facility Support

During April and May 2020, 42 Health Cluster Partners have sustained their support to the 2,624 health

facilities including operational support, incentives for the health workers, training of health workers

and provision of medicines and medical supplies.

Availability of Essential Services

The Health Cluster Partners are continuing to support primary and secondary health care services

across the country. These services are offered free of charge across all health centers and units, with

secondary health care provided in the governorate and district hospitals, as a result of the support of

partners with incentives and operational costs. Some of the main challenges that are hindering the

delivery of quality health services are insecurity, access impediments and inadequate health workers

(capacity and numbers). The economic situation is becoming worst on a daily basis as the Yemeni Rial

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continues to depreciate and the majority of the population are not able to afford transport to and from

the health facilities. Displaced people who suffer from chronic diseases are the most vulnerable group

who usually face problem accessing the secondary health services. Worth mentioning that mobile

teams are not encouraged by health authorities during COVI-19 time for their safety and community

safety they serve as well. Taking into account the impact of COVID-19 and movement restrictions, in

an effort to counter these challenges, Health Partners are supporting and facilitating patients’

transportation and referral through the voucher system in order to improve acceptance, access and

utilization of health services by the patients.

Looking at health partners reports of April 2020, it is important to note that there was decline in some

health indicators such as medical consultations, RH indicators and child health services which could be

attributed to both the violent conflict and the COVID-19 outbreak in Yemen. This could be also referred

to the culture of Yemeni people and change in their priorities in the month of Ramadhan. A slight

increase was observed in May 2020 data in few indicators but Health Cluster IM team is working to

better understand those trends and be able to identify the real causes.

Availability of Health Staff

The health workers available in the health facilities are not enough, as the majority have migrated from

their locations due to insecurity, access challenges or lack of salaries. Those still in the health facilities

are largely dependent on incentives offered by the humanitarian actors to sustain the remaining

services offered in these facilities.

Availability of Essential Drugs, Vaccines and Supplies

Health Cluster partners supported the health facilities’ operations with medicines and medical supplies

as well as payment of incentives to health staff. 166,000 Liters of fuel and 36 million liters of water

were supplied to the health facilities in addition to 21 IEHK basic Kits, 0 IEHK Supplementary kits, 538

other types of kits and 0 Trauma kit to support various health facilities across the country.

Health Cluster Action

Health Cluster Partners include 4 UN agencies, 18 INGOs, 21 NNGOs in 22 Governorates in Yemen. In

April & May 2020, 43 Partners reported through the Yemen health information system.

Partners Implementation Status can be accessed at http://yemenhc.org

Health Cluster Partners Updates – April and May 2020

Health Cluster Partners continued supporting health service delivery across the country. Below are a

few examples of different Health Cluster Partners operating in different governorates inside Yemen.

World Health Organization (WHO)

The World Health Organization in Yemen continues to provide life-saving health services in Yemen

and supporting and enhancing the existing health system. WHO is also focusing on COVID-19

Preparedness and support. As of May 31st 2020, 327 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been registered,

81 deaths, and 16 recoveries in Yemen.

Key Highlights regarding COVID-19:

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Suppressing transmission, including through community action and influence: The aim of the first line is to suppress transmission of the virus by mobilizing community volunteers and influencers to explain to millions of people across the country what the virus is, how it is transmitted and what can be done to stop its spread. Aid agencies stepped up awareness raising by activating more than 19,670 community-based volunteers and influencers. This is an increase from 9,000 volunteers in March to 14,000 in April. An additional 6,000 mother-to-mother community volunteers were also activated. These volunteers have been deployed to explain to communities how the virus is transmitted, how people can protect themselves and the steps to take if someone falls ill. Together with mass media messaging, these activities reached an estimated 16 million people. Another 2.3 million people have been reached through 410,015 house-to-house visits and Mother-to-Mother sessions.

Supplying – securing, transporting and distributing COVID-19 supplies: The United Nations has procured more than 10,000 metric tons of medical equipment, testing kits and medicine from a highly competitive global market; 4,800 metric tons (181 truckloads) have already arrived in country and another 6,151 metric tons (163 truckloads) are in the pipeline by end of May. Still more is urgently needed, especially oxygen and personal protective equipment.

Saving as many lives as possible, including people who are critically ill by boosting COVID-19 critical

capacities: The UN and partners are also rushing to expand hospital capacity in key population centers. Aid agencies scaled up the number of intensive care units (ICUs) in COVID-19 designated hospitals from 38 beginning of May, and are equipping an additional 21 ICUs, bringing the total to 59. In addition, partners are deploying two high capacity mobile field hospitals with nearly 100 beds and providing salaries to 9,000 frontline health care workers.

Safeguarding the public health system at more than 4,300 non-COVID health care facilities to ensure available facilities are not overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases remains a priority for humanitarian partners. These facilities continue to provide non-COVID health care services to prevent deaths from other deadly diseases and causes, including cholera, diphtheria, dengue and malaria, and to provide nutrition treatment to pregnant women and malnourished children. In May 2,779 health facilities continued to provide health services for malaria, and 1,257 health facilities provided cholera response services.2

For further information, please refer to WHO’s situation report for the Month of May 2020.

2 Direct extract from WHO’s May 2020 Report.

WHO supports 333 COVID19 rapid response teams. These 5-person teams are

present in every district in the country, responsible for detecting, assessing &

responding to suspected cases. WHO is also equipping hospitals & delivering

vital supplies. C: Omar Nasr

FIGURE 3 WHO ACTIVITIES DURING MAY 2020

An emergency campaign to control mosquito, and to raise awareness on

mosquito-borne diseases spreading due to stagnant water, as well as on

COVID19 pandemic in Aden. C: Nesma Khan

FIGURE 4 WHO ACTIVITIES DURING MAY 2020

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In addition to the COVID-19 preparedness and response, WHO continues to provide its regular support

to hospitals and health facilities to provide essential life-saving services and ensure the continuity of

non-Covid19 related health services including Cholera treatment and other type of services.

International Organizations for Immigration (IOM)

IOM is a UN Organization supporting more than 86 Health Facilities in 17 governorates in Yemen. Its

activities range from Primary Health care, secondary care at hospitals Outbreak Response, Global Fund

activities for the Malaria Program, and Mobile teams.

IOM continues to work to strengthen the public health system in Yemen through provision of support

to 41 health facilities in Al Bayda, Sa'ada, Sana'a, Al Jawf, Marib, Taizz, Al Dhale'e, Abyan, Lahj, Shabwah

and Aden. Support to these facilities aims to enhance access to primary health care for migrants,

internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities in these governorates. These services provide

the first line of defense to COVID- 19 ensuring that the most vulnerable populations continue to have

access to critical health care - disease prevention, hygiene promotion, case management and

treatment, medicines - in addition to screening for COVID-19. IOM is in the process of providing

additional screening tools (such as thermal thermometers), additional human resources, specific

training for health workers, personal protective equipment (PPE), and information, education and

communication (IEC) tools to raise awareness of COVID-19 and its prevention.

During April and May 2020, to support COVID-19 prevention and response measures, IOM rapidly

further scaled up its support to health facilities and mobile health teams by providing COVID-19 specific

personal protective equipment (PPE), medical supplies, triage management support, and information,

education and communication (IEC) materials. The Organization provided 10 primary health facilities

in April with infrared thermometers and PPE, as well as other medical supplies. Training is ongoing

throughout all supported facilities, focusing on COVID-19 triage and case management. In April, IOM

provided 80 health workers in Shabwah Governorate with training on COVID-19 case management,

case definitions and infection prevention and control measures. Teams consisting of health and

protection staff conducted awareness raising sessions in Aden city, specifically reaching 1,732

migrants, host community members and refugees with COVID-19 prevention messages. This was in

addition to over 140,000 people reached with health messages conducted through health teams across

the country, within which COVID-19 prevention measures have been integrated.

IOM has been operating in Marib, providing multi-sectoral assistance to affected populations since

March 2019. Assistance was scaled up during the recent displacement crisis, and now, in response to

the presence of COVID-19 in the governorate. By 20 May, the first COVID-19 case had been confirmed

in Marib. IOM, as lead of the sub-national health cluster, is scaling up preparedness and response

activities, including by establishing quarantine and treatment facilities, conducting awareness raising

activities and hygiene promotion. In May 2020, IOM established an isolation and treatment facility in

Marib city, which has a capacity of 63 beds, including 10 in the intensive care unit (ICU), and is staffed

with 68 health professionals. To ensure humanitarian capacity to respond is maintained in Marib during

this critical time, IOM is also bolstering clinic capacity and ensuring that the humanitarian hub it

manages follows COVID-19 prevention protocols.

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United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

UNFPA is one of the main UN organizations working in Yemen by implementing RH Projects and

improving the lives of the people in Yemen. It is one of the frontline responders during the current

COVID-19 outbreak and is working very closely with the Ministry of Health and the World Health

Organization in the response to COVID-19. Key areas of support during the reporting period of April-

May 2020 includes the following:

UNFPA has distributed 40 ventilators to specialized COVID-19 isolation units in the North and

South of Yemen. Additional 40 ventilators have been procured and are in the pipeline.

From March through May, 140 health facilities around the country have been supplied by

UNFPA with personal protective equipment and IPC materials procured locally through the

Implementing partners, namely DEEM, FMF, CSSW, BFD, and ADRA.

RH services in 40 Health Facilities. Due to funding suspension, UNFPA has been forced to

suspend RH services in 140 Health Facilities out of the `80 Health facilities supported. This is

endangering the lives of women and children as they lose access to specialized RH services.

International Medical Corps (IMC)

IMC is a leading International Organization working in Yemen since 2012 providing health services to

people in need. It is providing multi-sector humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable

communities in six governorates in Yemen - Sana’a, Ibb, Taiz, Lahj, Aden, and Al Dhale’e.

Main Activities:

Support provided by IMC includes incentives for service providers, medical and non-medical

commodities which includes pharmaceuticals, medical and laboratory consumables, equipment

according to the level of care offered by the health facility, capacity building, WASH support

that includes medical and non-medical waste management, water trucking, rehabilitation of

WASH and sanitation facilities

Key Highlights during April-May 2020:

Triage

General Medical Consultations to include screening for communicable and non-communicable

diseases

Provision of Essential Medications

Regular vaccination services for children and pregnant women

Reproductive health care services to include ANC, PNC, childbirth and family planning

FIGURE 5 UNFPA ACTIVITIES DURING MAY 2020

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Referral to higher level of health services

Disease surveillance through eIDEWS

29,039 consultations

Distribution personal protective equipment to 23 health care facilities

Support training of 256 health care workers on COVID-19.

Participated in contextualizing guidelines for COVID-19.

Yemen Family Care Association (YFCA (

YFCA is a leading, independent and neutral non-governmental organization that works nationwide at different levels to promote equitable and sustainable development, humanitarian response, and other relevant interventions for a better life and wellbeing of Yemeni communities and individuals. YFCA is currently working in about 27 hospitals, 24 HC and 15 HU in 44 districts in 8 governorates. Main Activities:

Obstetric Emergencies to provide maternal, newborn and RH services at health facilities

supporting CEmONC & BEmONC services.

Minimum Health Services Package (MSP) interventions

General health services for primary and secondary health care including the CD prevention,

RH MISP package, IMCI with focus in increasing immunization coverage

Key Highlights during April and May 2020:

50 Health Facility supported by UNFPA benefited from Cleaning Materials distribution

including: hand-Wash cleaning materials plus surface cleaning materials in addition to PPE

provision to the health workers (Face Mask plus disposable gloves) and COVID-19 IEC Posters

delivery to the HFs.

17 Health Facilities benefited from operational support, minor maintenance and repair

including sanitation, latrines and hand washing points.

Integration of COVID-19 awareness session through trainings courses of the community

health volunteers & health workers, minding reasonable space between participants, ensure

cleaning, mobbing the hall ground & tools by anti-septic, providing face masks, disposable

gloves, and hand sanitizers to all participants. Also fixing posters that enhance health

awareness messages regarding COVID-19.

9 Health Facilities received Medicines, Laboratory solutions, Medical Equipment and medical

supplies and 3 Emergency mobile medical teams. Total of 147,000 people have benefited

from the health services supported by YFCA in health facilities and that include 106, 000

medical consolations, 5000 ANC, 450 assisted deliveries and 2,000 children under 1 year

received penta vaccine. Also about 33,000 people have been reached with health education

messages.

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Save the Children International (SCI)

SCI is an International Organization supporting the Health System in Yemen by providing support to

150 Primary Health Care facilities and hospitals in 9 governorates in Yemen. It is also one of the

organizations at the forefront of the COVID-19 preparedness and response in Yemen.

SCI has support health facilities with PPE and 1,037 total of health workers have been trained

on IPC, COVID-19 standard case definition, triage and screening, and how to deal with COVID-

19 suspected cases. In addition, SCI established triage and screening units in targeted health

facilities in order to minimize COVID-19 transmission in health facilities and ensure continuity

of PHC services.

During April and May 2020, 223,779 people have utilized the health services supported by SCI in the supported health facilities. That include 136,352 medical consolations (OPD), provided treatment for 73,214 communicable diseases cases (malaria, diphtheria, DF and TB treatment), 80, 10 ANC, 2,522 PNC and 3,681 doses of measles to children. Also about 94,918 people have been reached with health education messages.

Addition for Disasters assistances and Development (ADD)

ADD was established in May 2016 with the aim of providing humanitarian services and is working in

multiple sectors including Health and Nutrition. It began operations in Yemen in December 2018

working in 4 governorates. It is currently supporting 18 Health facilities in Yemen providing Health

and Nutrition services. ADD is also responding to the COVID-19 pandemic spread in Yemen.

ADD, and in collaboration with WHO & Alhudydaha GHO, equipped and operated Alwa`raa

isolation center in Alkhowkha district Al-hudydaha gov. with has a current capacity of 2 ICU

beds and 4 inpatient beds.

WHO support:

Equipped the Alwa`raa isolation center by 2 ICU bed, 4 non ICU beds and basic lab devices

Through GHO basic drugs and basic PPE

Seconded staff training in case management

WHO committed to pay risk allowances for seconded staff

GHO:

Identified seconded staff for isolation center ( 6 doctors, 6 nurses , 3 lab person and 6

cleaners)

FIGURE 6 YFCA ACTIVITIES DURING APRIL-MAY 2020

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Support the Alwa`raa isolation center by one ambulance

ADD support:

Procured and provided one generator for isolation center with good capacity

Completed the basic rehabilitation of the isolation center

In partnership with GHO finalized sample transfer to Aden strategy and ADD support role

In partnership with WHO completed ICU devices installation

In partnership with GHO competed staff training on ICU devices operation and management

Provided IPC supply and basic PPE

Monthly incentive

In May ADD Distributed IPC/PPE supply to 9 health facilities in western coast as part from

COVID -19 preparndess and response.

Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS)

QRCS is an International Organization working in Yemen and providing support to a number of health

facilities in Taizz, Sana’a and Sad’ad governorates. It is also one of the organizations responding to the

COVID19 pandemic in Yemen. In addition to its normal health activities in the specified locations,

QRCS has provided PPE materials and Hygiene items to all its facilities, thus protecting well over 280

health workers on the front lines.

List of items provided:

Medical Disposable Gloves

Facemask

Insulation Suits

Liquid hand sanitizer

Liquid hand soap

Clorox

Dettol

FIGURE 7 ADD ACTIVITIES DURING APRIL AND MAY 2020

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Other protective items.

Intersos

Intersos is an International Organization operating in Yemen since 2008. It mainly targets IDPs,

people with special needs, women, children, migrant and asylum seekers and refugees. It works

across all sectors such as Health, WASH, Protection and other sectors. It is currently supporting 20

health facilities in 3 governorates in Yemen.

Main Activities

MSP- primary health care including OPD/IMCI consultation, EPI, nutrition (SAM/MAM), health

awareness (ANC,PNC, natal, family planning)

Secondary health care including surgical emergencies, CEmONC, referral system

Capacity building and infrastructure

Outreach activities by CHW and CHVs

COVID-19 preparedness and preventive measures

Key highlights and achievements during the month of May

225 Health workers and 65 CHVs have been trained on EPHC package including new training

on COVID-19 protocol.

By May 7,608 people accessed OPD consulations,807 women accessed reproductive health

care,457 accessed surgical and non-surgical emergencies,96 CU5 enrolled in CMAM program

and 4786 people received health and nutrition awareness.

In addition, 20 Health facilities have been supported by drugs, medical and non-medical

equipment, running cost and rehabilitation.

FIGURE 8 QRCS ACTIVITIES DURING MAY 2020

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Relief International

Relief International is an international organization established in 1990. RI is supporting 15 health

facilities in 3 governorates in Yemen.

Main Activities

Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmoNC)- in 5 Hospitals in Sana’a and Amran

(2 in Sana’a and 3 in Amran)

Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmoNC) in 5 Health Centers In

Sana’a and Amran (2 in Sana’a and 3 in Amran)

Integrated Multi-Sector Interventions in 1 District hospital, 3 health centers and 1 health unit

in 3 districts in Dhamar governorate.

Key highlights and achievements during the month of April and May 2020:

A Total of 11,994 female beneficiaries in 10 HFs within the 7 targeted districts in Sana’a and

Amran benefited from one or more RH services during April and May 2020

A Total of 2,364 female beneficiaries in 10 HFs within the 7 targeted districts in Sana’a and

Amran attended IYCF awareness sessions during April and May 2020

715 deliveries (647 Normal and 68 C/S) were conducted by skilled birth attendants in Sana’a

and Amran 10 targeted HFs in 7 districts during April and May 2020

A total of 61 emergency cases in 10 HFs within the 7 targeted districts in Sana’a and Amran

targeted were referred from the community level to PHC level and from PHC level to

secondary/tertiary hospitals through the RI’s referral system.

A Total of 10,575 beneficiaries in 3 targeted districts in Dhamar benefited from one or more

health and nutrition services during April and May 2020

A Total of 2,298 beneficiaries in 3 targeted districts in Dhamar attended health and nutrition

awareness sessions during April and May 2020

96 normal deliveries were conducted by skilled birth attendants in 5 targeted HFs in 3 districts

in Dhamar during April and May 2020

Nutrition

The Yemen Nutrition Surveillance System (YNSS) Infographic – May 2020 can be accessed at: http://www.emro.who.int/yem/yemen-news/nutrition-surveillance-dashboard.html

Highlights – May 2020

9191 children under five screened for all forms of malnutrition in May ; 31% of them under 6

months of age

95,856 children screened, since January 2020, across the 81 reporting NSS sites

114 sites established in 21 Governorates, with a geographical coverage of 95% of all

governorates of Yemen and 42% of priority districts

Acute Malnutrition detected in 22% of the total children 6-59 months screened in May, with

highest rates of both moderate and severe acute malnutrition recorded in Al-Hudaydah and

Taizz (WHZ). Children found with acute malnutrition are referred to appropriate nutrition

services.

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The proportion of children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is 6%, on average. The

highest proportion of children affected by SAM (WHZ < -3 z-score) was found in Al- Hudaydah

(13%). and Taizz (9%).

Chronic malnutrition remains of high concern, with 55 districts reporting a very high

proportion of stunting.

Exclusive breastfeeding, only 22% of infants under 6 months of age. The indicator still lagging

behind the WHO global targets 2025, which aims to increase the rate of exclusive

breastfeeding in the first 6 months up to at least 50% by 2025.

Further (representative) assessments are recommended to verify these alerts, targeting

locations that presented high rates of acute malnutrition

Health Cluster Coordination

COVID-19 Updates:

Among the efforts of COVID-19 response in Yemen, Health Cluster is effectively contributed to the

coordination of COVID-19 (Pillar one) in Yemen. About six COVID-19 meetings in weekly basis were

conducted with partners during April and May of 2020.

The Health Cluster also conducted five National Virtual Health Cluster meetings and ten Sub-National

Health Cluster coordination meetings conducted in the five functional hubs (Aden, Al Hudaydah,

Ibb/Taizz, Sa’ada and Sana’a).

The Sub-National Cluster Coordinators at Hub level conducted five field visits to various health facilities

in the governorates to support Health Partners during the month of April 2020. Taking into account the

work from home modality and the restriction of staff movement as COVID cases started to be reported

also the Eid vacation.

The Health Cluster participated in six ICCM meetings and three HCT meetings at national level and the

Sub-National Health Cluster Coordinators attended eight RCT meetings, three ICWG meetings in all the

hubs in addition to 34 bilateral meetings (rely on virtual solutions).

As all efforts were directed on COVID- 19 Preparedness and Response, only four Technical Working

Group meetings during the months of April and May 2020 were convened.

Five trainings were conducted to IDPs focal points on COVID-19 surveillance.

Links to the 4Ws are as follows:

http://yemenhc.org/?wpdmpro=health-cluster-4w-april-2020-draft

http://yemenhc.org/?wpdmpro=health-cluster-4w-may-2020-draft

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Health Cluster in Marib:

Health Cluster had initiated many consultations and discussions in order to ensure coordinating the

health humanitarian interventions in few locations / governorates, which are difficult to access such as

Marib, west coast districts and Al-Turbah. For this and since IOM is leading the hub coordination efforts

in Marib, so the Health Cluster has agreed with IOM support as focal point in Marib.

Following this arrangements, IOM has immediately coordinated with GHO in Marib and agreed to

convene weekly cluster meetings to make sure collective efforts is well mapped at the governorate.

Weekly coordination meetings were agreed upon and 4 meetings were conducted during April – May

2020 in Marib. In light with COVID-19 Preparedness and Response, IOM is working hard to ensure

functionality of one isolation unit in Marib (Saba University) with rehabilitation, equipment, medical

supplies, staff training, IPC, operational cost and incentives. This IU is operational effectively since early

May 2020 with 63 beds, of them 4 beds used for triage and 59 for admission including 10 ICU beds with

ventilators and monitors provided by WHO.

As the GHO in Marib has requested support to the IDPs sites quarantine centers (alternative for home

quarantine for IDPs in sites with poor setups), Al Rhoda school site is prepared and Al Jufaina is

underway shortly, yet, non is operational – IOM supported sites (Al Jufaina and AL Marda’) are

expected to be operational by mid and end of June respectively.

Testing capacity in Marib is the major challenges in COVID response as no PCR machine are available

for testing and samples are sent to Say’un or Mukalla in Hadramout and those samples are declined as

no enough testing kits even in Hadramout lab. In addition, GHO is keep requesting to expand the

isolation units to another two different districts.

Training of Health Staff

During the months of April and May 2020, Partners across the country conducted training sessions for:

- 357 community health workers on health education, health promotion and infection prevention - 100

midwives on various topics in Reproductive Health and 365 Nurses.

Trauma and Injury Care

With the ongoing conflict in several parts of the country, 15986 patients were treated for conflict

related trauma injuries in various health facilities across the country during April and May 2020.

Child Health

52,597 children were immunized for Penta-3, while 45,693 children were treated for SAM with

complications cases and refereed for further follow up care and support.

For Further Information, Please Contact:

Dr. Fawad Khan Dr. Nasr Mohammed Dr. Fahad Al-Fadhel

Health Cluster Coordinator-Yemen Sub-National Health Cluster Coordinator – Sana’a Hub Health Cluster Coordinator (MoPHP)

World Health Organization World Health Organization Ministry of Public Health and Population

Mobile: +967-738335599 Mobile: +967 – 739888428 Mobile: +967 - 776120800

E-mail: khanmu@who.int E-mail: nmohammed@who.int E-mail: todrfahad@outlook.com