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Yemen's Collapsing Health System Unable to Cope with Disease Upsurge

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA - The World Health Organization warns nearly 18 million people
   in Yemen are unable to get treatment for deadly diseases because years
   of war, economic distress and a chronic shortage of money have led to a
   collapse of the country's healthcare system.

   More than five years of escalating conflict have devastated Yemen's
   economy and ability to provide enough food and medical care to keep its
   population healthy.

   World Health Organization officials report only half of the country's
   health facilities are fully functioning. And those that remain open
   suffer from severe shortages of qualified staff, essential medicines
   and supplies.

   WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic says that for three years, appalling
   socio-economic conditions in Yemen have caused a spiraling of deadly
   diseases including the worst cholera outbreak in modern times, as well
   as epidemics of diphtheria, dengue, measles and malaria.

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