The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned that Yemen’s already fragile healthcare system is under mounting pressure as intensified fighting sends growing numbers of wounded people to hospitals.
– In a statement, the ICRC said health facilities in Marib, Taiz and along the Red Sea coast were bearing the brunt of the casualties, with some front-line facilities receiving more than 700 patients in a single week.
– “Trauma teams are under immense pressure,” said Feras Abusamra, the ICRC’s health coordinator, warning that few facilities could provide comprehensive trauma care amid shortages of surgical supplies, anaesthetics, oxygen and medicines.
– “Our concern is that the health system’s ability to absorb any massive influx of casualties may be extremely limited,” said Christine Cipolla, the ICRC’s head of delegation in Yemen.
– The warning follows a separate alert from Yemen’s Ministry of Health that hospitals in Taiz risk suspending essential services, including emergency surgery, intensive care and dialysis, because of dwindling medical supplies and fuel.
https://aje.news/4cnbbv?update=5049030