Malaria control efforts in displaced persons camps in Yemen | King Salman Center
In a pioneering humanitarian initiative aimed at protecting the most vulnerable, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has launched a new phase of its medical efforts, recently initiating a comprehensive malaria control campaign in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Yemeni governorates of Aden and Marib. This initiative is part of the second phase of a project to enhance malaria prevention and control, implemented in strategic partnership with the World Health Organization, to ensure the provision of necessary healthcare to those affected amidst the exceptional circumstances the country is facing.
The Yemeni health system has deteriorated and epidemics have spread
Yemen has been suffering for years from a severe humanitarian and health crisis as a result of the ongoing conflict, leading to the near-total collapse of its health sector infrastructure. This unprecedented deterioration has made the Yemeni environment, particularly in coastal and lowland areas, a breeding ground for vector-borne diseases. The concentrations of displaced people have created a fragile environment lacking even the most basic sanitation and clean water, further exacerbating the risk of disease outbreaks. Therefore, there is an urgent need for international intervention to curb the spread of these deadly diseases and rebuild the health infrastructure that has been shattered by successive crises.
Mechanisms for implementing the malaria control campaign in displaced persons camps
The field campaign, funded and implemented by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, includes deploying four specialized medical teams equipped with mobile units. These teams comprise 28 qualified healthcare professionals who provide direct medical services at displacement camps. Services include early detection using rapid tests, accurate diagnosis of suspected cases, and completely free treatment for confirmed malaria cases according to internationally approved medical protocols. In addition to treatment, the teams conduct detailed field entomological surveys to measure the density of disease-carrying mosquitoes and identify breeding grounds. This will benefit approximately 553,000 people distributed across 72 displacement camps.
Regional and international dimensions to limit the spread of the disease
The importance of these initiatives extends beyond their positive local impact of saving lives and easing the burden on Yemeni hospitals; it encompasses crucial regional and international dimensions. Regionally, eliminating malaria hotspots in Yemen helps prevent cross-border transmission to neighboring countries, thus enhancing health security in the Arabian Peninsula. Internationally, these Saudi efforts align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the World Health Organization's strategies to eliminate malaria by 2030.
Yemeni praise for sustained Saudi support
In a related context, Dr. Ali Ahmed Al-Walidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Public Health and Population for Primary Healthcare in Yemen, affirmed that the launch of these medical teams represents a significant and pivotal step in enhancing access to healthcare services for displaced persons, who are among the most vulnerable groups and in dire need of urgent medical care. Dr. Al-Walidi commended the generous and ongoing support provided by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, which has effectively contributed to the implementation of numerous vital health programs across various Yemeni governorates. This campaign is a natural extension of the humanitarian and relief efforts undertaken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to support the health recovery process in Yemen and alleviate the suffering of its brotherly people.
