We implemented measures to keep staff and patients safe in our existing projects across 13 Yemeni governorates while ensuring the continuation of lifesaving activities in the existing hospitals where we work and helping prepare hospitals to receive COVID-19 cases.

In Sana’a we support two hospitals. At the Sheikh Zayyed Hospital, where we were already providing training and donations, we have now started triage, an inpatient department (20 beds, expandable) and an intensive care unit (6 beds, expandable). At Al-Kuwait we offer a full package of hands-on support to the MoH, including treating the most severely ill patients in the 15-bed intensive care unit and in the large inpatient department.

In Aden, MSF was running COVID-19 treatment centers at Al Amal and Al Gamhuriah hospitals. In light of the continuing reduction in the number of admissions to the two MSF COVID-19 treatment centers in Aden, we have decided to combine activities in Al Gamhuriah hospital. Local health authorities remain in charge of the overall COVID-19 response in Aden.

In HaydanandKhamerwe have set up COVID-19 treatment centers to take care of moderate cases and have begun admitting small numbers of patients with symptoms resembling those of COVID-19.

In Hajjah governorate we are helping with preventive measures in hospitals, including the set-up of screening points for patients and support to set up an isolation unit in Abs hospital, as well as training of staff on symptoms and case definition, case management, and IPC. In the MSF-supported Al Gumhouri Hospital (Hajjah city), the referral facility for the governorate, our teams supported the setup of a COVID-19 isolation center.

In Ibbgovernorate MSF supported the MoH in Al Sahul COVID-19 treatment center, which opened on June 11 and began receiving patients on June 13. Our team conducted a five-day training for 234 medical and non-medical staff in the facility, and assists with technical support, setup of triage and screening, facility management including workforce planning, and waste management. The teams implemented IPC measures and provided training sessions, including for health promotion, for both MoH and MSF staff and private caregivers.

In Hajjah governorate’s Al Gumhouri hospital we work with the MoH to maintain essential lifesaving activities such as the emergency room, intensive care unit, operating theater, inpatient department, mental health services, and emergency referrals to Sana’a.

In Abs, in addition to supporting authorities in managing the key departments of the hospital and implementing IPC measures to protect staff and patients, we are also working with communities to understand more about perceptions and knowledge of COVID-19.

In Hodeidahwe have provided health promotion, IPC measures, and case management training in different hospitals and set up an isolation unit in Al Salakhana Hospital in collaboration with local health authorities. In Ibb and Hodeidah our teams provided health promotion, IPC measures, and case management training to the MoH.

In Taiz governate we have adapted IPC measures and patient and triage flows to protect staff and patients in our Mother and Child hospital in Taiz Houban. We continue trainings and health education sessions on infection prevention, case management, and proper use of PPE for staff and patients and caretakers. An MSF team has supported the MoH with two assessments of potential COVID-19 isolation centers and has advised on layout, patient flows, human resources, and supply needs. In Taiz city,we continue to support lifesaving activities in three hospitals in addition to providing training on IPC, screening, triage, and identification of COVID-19 cases. We’re also providing health and safety promotion to patients and caretakers in the health facilities we support, as well as to pregnant women from the city and surrounding communities.

In Marib, we trained a large group of community health workers in COVID-19 health promotion and have been providing for 42 health promotion supervisors of the Governorate Health Office in Marib on COVID-19 messaging. We also set up IPC measures and patient and triage flows to protect staff and beneficiaries in facilities run and supported by MSF. We’ve also carried out trainings on infection prevention and PPE use for all staff. Health Promotion on infection prevention is also given to all patients and caretakers at the facilities in Arabic, Oromo, and Amharic.