© MSF/Majd Aljunaid
In Yemen there are very few fully functional COVID-19 treatment centres. In other covid treatment centres, the health personnel do often not feel comfortable working without the required protective equipment. Fear of stigmatization hinders the access to the few functional COVID-19 centres.
Muhammad, a patient in Al Jumhouri COVID-19 treatment centre, says that he was not aware about any health facilities in Dhamar governorate, where he lives, that can provide care for COVID-19 patients. Therefore, he had to travel 3 hours to Sanaa. After his recovery, when discharged from Al Jumhouri COVID-19 department, he jokingly tells us, while he stands next to his son at the exit gate, that the team in the COVID-19 center provided him with a quality of care even his sons could not provide to him.
Dr. Sana, who works with MSF in the COVID-19 treatment centre supported by the organization within Al Jumhouri hospital in Sanaa can only confirm, what our patients are going through before reaching the COVID-19 treatment centre in Al Jumhouri.
Patients come to us from the different governorates of Yemen, such as Hajjah, Al Mahwit and Hodeidah – between 3 and 6 hours by car from Sanaa.Dr. Sana, Medical Activity Manager
Ali was admitted on 23 June to IPD after experiencing symptoms like: cough, fever, headache, sore throat and abdominal pain. Ali denies the rumors circulating about the isolation centers, "rumors are false, and we did not find anything worrying in the centers. On the opposite, all doctors and nurses deal with us professionally and carefully.", said Ali. © MSF/Majd Aljunaid
Abdullah, 60 years old, also came from Hajjah governorate and has been admitted to the Al Jumhouri after suffering from difficulty breathing and heart diseases. He had previously received treatment in a hospital in his governorate. When we asked Abdullah about his opinion if he had the opportunity to take the COVID-19 vaccine, he answered yes if this vaccine could protect him from the symptoms he had to experience. © MSF/Majd Aljunaid
Muhammad, a patient in Al Jumhouri Covid treatment centre, says that he was not aware about any health facilities in Dhamar governorate, where he lives, that can provide quality of care for patients. Therefore, he had to travel 3 hours to Sanaa. After his recovery, when discharged from Al Jumhouri COVID department, he jokingly tells us, while he stands next to his son at the exit gate, that the team in the COVID center provided him with a quality of care even his sons could not provide to him. © MSF/Majd Aljunaid
The compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures in Yemen is rather low. This could be linked to limited awareness-raising activities for the population, as it is done for other diseases such as Cholera. Another challenge for the community is to identify the severity of the COVID-19 symptoms to seek early care. MSF is addressing these challenges through health promoters working in the COVID-19 department, but unfortunately the team is limited to communication within the treatment facility and therefore can’t reach the population fearing to come to the health centre in the first place.
The health promoters are key to transmit the knowledge about COVID-19 and address misconceptions and rumors related to this new disease, which has impacted health systems globally. Ebtisam, who has been working as a health promoter in the isolation centre since its opening in April 2021, says "Despite the difficulties regarding health education related to COVID-19 in Yemen, we are doing our best here in the centre to correct misconceptions about the disease and disseminate information to patients and their companions on how to protect themselves and when and where to receive treatment. We also provide support to patients and build confidence between patients and medical staff to reduce the fear they have, and this is clearly reflected when they leave the centre in good health."
Gilles Grandclement, Project Coordinator for the MSF COVID-19 response in Al Jumhouri Hospital in Sana’a is reminding and encouraging all of us – we are all in this together. “COVID-19 is affecting all of us, it is everyone’s responsibility to contribute to the control of this spreading disease and protect each other from getting it. It’s very important that we apply those very simple hygiene rules, like wearing masks in crowded areas, keeping distance and washing hands. These measures will prevent more infection transmission,” says Gilles.
Please always remember to seek care once you develop cough, fever and difficulty of breathing. COVID-19 treatment centres are specifically developed to provide optimal lifesaving care for COVID-19 patients!
