Suspension of medical services in Shabwa sparks fears of humanitarian crisis

SHABWA, April 21 (YPA) – Doctors and staff in the maternity and children’s department at Ataq General Hospital in Yemen’s oil-rich Shabwa province, under the control of pro-Saudi forces, staged a protest on Tuesday to denounce administrative mismanagement and the worsening decline in medical services, amid growing concerns over a potential collapse in maternal and child healthcare.

During a rally held at the hospital entrance, medical personnel called for the payment of financial incentives and the renewal of their contracts for an additional three months, under mechanisms similar to those previously applied by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which they said had ensured relative stability for staff.

The protesters suspended services in the department, further aggravating the already fragile healthcare situation, particularly in maternal and child care, which requires specialized staff and sustained support. They said the ongoing neglect has deepened frustration among medical workers.

They also urged improvements in working conditions to ensure the continuity of healthcare services and the provision of adequate care to patients, warning that continued deterioration in the health sector requires urgent and comprehensive solutions.

The rally comes amid a worsening economic situation, including the reported suspension of public sector salaries by the Saudi-backed authorities for the fourth consecutive month, alongside limited international support.

Medical staff warned that the current conditions are placing the province’s healthcare system under severe strain, with mothers and newborns bearing the consequences.

AA