Source: International Organization for Migration

Sa’dah, Yemen – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has significantly expanded the emergency department and surgical unit at the key Munabbih Hospital in Sa’dah city, in northwest Yemen. This initiative addresses critical gaps in healthcare services and boosts the hospital’s ability to deliver life-saving care, improving health outcomes for migrants and host communities in one of the country’s most underserved regions.

“IOM’s support for Munabbih Hospital is vital for ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the essential healthcare they urgently need,” said Matt Huber, IOM Yemen’s Acting Chief of Mission. “By upgrading the medical infrastructure and increasing the hospital’s capacity, we aim to save lives and ease the significant burden on this critical facility.”

Munabbih District, situated near the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a remote area that serves as the final exit point for migrants en route to KSA. It is also a frontline where many report experiencing casualties from armed clashes and direct shootings. The hospital serves a crucial role in delivering essential healthcare to a diverse population, including migrants, displaced persons, and local communities across four districts.

Despite its crucial role, Munabbih Hospital previously lacked essential emergency healthcare facilities such as operating rooms, nurseries, and intensive care units. The facility also faced severe shortages of qualified healthcare professionals, particularly in the emergency department. This strain grew as the hospital managed an increasing caseload of patients, including migrants injured during border crossings and outbreaks of diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.

Munabbih Hospital has benefitted from support provided by EU Humanitarian Aid, the Yemen Humanitarian Fund, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, and the German Federal Foreign Office.