Dr. Reem Tawfiq Ali Saeed is the director of the Al-Tawahi Health Center on the outskirts of Aden, in South Yemen. During her six months as the center’s director, Dr Saeed has already faced multiple difficulties in managing the needs of both patients and staff.
“The support we receive from the World Health Organization and KSrelief [King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center] is extensive, and includes the provision of vaccines to fight the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Saeed. “But there are medical supplies and medicines that we simply do not have, and cannot provide to patients who need them.”
The Al-Tawahi Health Center is struggling to manage concurrent caseloads of patients with vaccine-preventable diseases including diptheria, cholera, and COVID-19. Vaccine hesitancy remains a major contributing factor, fueled by fear-based misinformation still coursing through communities.
KSrelief is closely supporting WHO and Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health and Population (MOPH) to increase COVID-19 vaccination coverage well beyond its current level of 14.2% of the adult population in 12 governorates and 120 districts of South Yemen. KSrelief continues to fund procurements of COVID-19 vaccines, syringes, and safety boxes, and WHO will be launching further public awareness campaigns about the safety of vaccines .
The long-term goal is to achieve at least 30% among adults of all ages in Southern governorates. However, Yemen’s health system is severely strained by simultaneous disease outbreaks, shortages of essential medicines, equipment and staff, and other impediments that make this highly challenging.
Nurse Iskander began working at the center in 1989, and in the ensuing 33 years has dealt with many challenges in caring for her patients. But none have proved more daunting than the COVID-19 pandemic, she said.
“Fear of vaccination is the most difficult and challenging thing for me to manage,” nurse Iskander explained, adding that although she was able to convince members of her immediate family to be vaccinated, several resisted because of long-held fears.
“My daily routine is very meaningful – I am always meeting new people, and my message to them and to everyone in my family and community is the same one – get vaccinated.”
Amal Salem Omar Baawidan has worked at the Al-Tawahi Health Center for 19 years as a supply coordinator.
Dr. Saeed readily admits that while her work as director of the Al-Tawahi Health Center can be very difficult, she remains up to all challenges.
“I am positive and hopeful overall, but feel weight on my shoulders while trying to accomplish whatever I can with the very limited resources we have here,” said Dr Saeed. “I am always communicating with local authorities about the shortages we face, and we always serve our patients with transparency. When they are unhappy, we listen to them, answer them honestly, and always do our best to deliver the services they need, at least possible cost to them.”
Story: Nesma Khan, Kevin Cook / WHO Yemen
Photos: Nesma Khan/ WHO Yemen; Saleh Hayyan / Gabreez