The measles epidemic, which pervades the regions and districts of Abyan Governorate (southern Yemen), continues to claim the lives of dozens of children, especially in the Lawdar district, which is the governorate's most suffering and affected area from its spread. While a health official attributes the cause of the spread of the disease among the children of the region, in particular, to the refusal of some families to vaccinate their children,
"Especially in these days, when the severity of the spread of the disease has increased more than ever before, in light of the inability of the health department to play an effective role in limiting the spread of the disease", as described by citizens who spoke to "Khuyut".
A health source in Abyan governorate reveals an increase in cases of measles infection and death in the various districts of the governorate that are under the control of the internationally recognized government.
Likewise, a health source in Abyan governorate reveals an increase in cases of measles infection and death in the various districts of the governorate that are under the control of the internationally recognized government.
For his part, the Director of the Epidemiological Surveillance Department in the Office of Health and Population in Abyan Governorate, Dr. Sameh Al-Jabal, indicates to "Khuyut", that the number of deaths of children from measles in the areas located in the governorate amounted to 20 deaths, and 1321 cases of infection have been recorded since the middle of this year 2023, distributed in the districts of: Lawdar (475 cases of infection and 10 deaths), Mudiya (280 cases of infection and 8 deaths), and Khanfar (280 cases of infection and one death).
Al-Jabal shows that most of the districts recording deaths and infections of measles cases were concentrated in the governorate’s districts (Lawdar, Mudiya, and Khanfar), located east of the governorate’s capital, pointing out that all the cases of children who died of the measles epidemic were all unvaccinated and not committed to receiving the routine vaccination, noting that there is a significant increase compared to last year.
People's fear of spreading the disease and deteriorating services
According to local sources, dozens of cases arrive daily at health centers to receive measles-infected children from various areas of Lawdar and other areas.
The sources told "Khuyut" that a number of the infected children died in their areas of the Lawdar district, which made a number of citizens of the district express their fear and concern about the measles epidemic, which spread in the district in a terrifying, striking, and unprecedented way. In addition, they fear that the disease will turn into a deadly epidemic that kills children in the district, which is witnessing a significant deterioration in its health situation.
The World Health Organization reveals an alarming spread of many vaccine-preventable diseases. Where Yemen recorded more than 22,000 cases of measles in 2022, including 161 deaths. Since 2023 until now, the number of cases has increased to 9,418, including the deaths of 77 children.
Moreover, citizens from the various villages of Lawdar described the health services as inferior in the district. Consequently, this led to the outbreak of the disease and the infection of their children with measles, who are falling one after another, in light of the failure of the competent authorities that were supposed to take all measures quickly and dispatch the immunization teams and awareness and guidance teams. As a result, many citizens infected with the disease had to go to Al-Sadaqa Hospital in Aden to receive appropriate health care.
In this regard, the citizen, Ali Salem, tells "Khuyut": "The march is still continuing by our children from the various areas and villages of the district, those infected with diphtheria and measles, to Al-Sadaqa Teaching Hospital in Aden, fifth floor. While the citizen, Jaber Obaid, confirms that by saying, "The disease kills our children and takes their lives without finding any action by the concerned authorities in the district and the governorate to stop it.
On the other hand, the families of children with measles criticize the silence of the concerned authorities in the district and the governorate, which did not move a finger and did not fulfill their humanitarian duty by taking the necessary preventive measures to stop the spread of this epidemic, which continues to kill their children. Pointing out at the same time that these authorities—unfortunately—abandoned their duty entrusted to them and devoted themselves only to creating justifications and flimsy excuses to justify their inability and failure to confront this disease and implement awareness campaigns in society, for which funds are paid in hard currency (dollars) by international donor organizations and agencies to carry out this work.
At the same time, they are calling for rapid movement and urgent intervention in all areas where this deadly disease is spreading and to carry out their humanitarian role and work through the capabilities that have been harnessed and allocated for this work and for such epidemics.
The risks of not getting vaccinated
In the context, Mohammed Muzahim, director of the Health and Population Department in the Lawdar District, confirms to "Khuyut" that the spread of measles among the children of Lawdar comes as a result of the refusal of some families to vaccinate their children, stressing the need to carry out intensive field campaigns to the affected areas and vaccinate the children.
In this respect, the World Health Organization reveals an alarming spread of many vaccine-preventable diseases. Yemen recorded more than 22,000 cases of measles in 2022, including 161 deaths. Since 2023 until now, the number of cases has increased to 9,418, including the deaths of 77 children. In addition, the cases of diphtheria and whooping cough continue to rise, as well as the deaths resulting from each disease.
According to the director of the Epidemiological Surveillance Department at the Health Office in Abyan, Sameh Al-Jabal, the spread of measles cases in Abyan and in many Yemeni governorates—as an epidemic—comes as a result of the remnants of war and the increase in malnutrition rates.
In addition to the decline in the vaccination process among children and non-compliance with the routine vaccination, as well as some refusers who prevent their children from taking the vaccine, especially in rural areas.
On the other side, the director of the Health and Population Office in Abyan Governorate, Saleh Al-Tharm, confirmed in press statements that the office is following up on the infected cases with great interest. Adding that he assigned a team to follow up on the infected cases in Lawdar, accompanied by the Lawdar Health Office, in order to carry out campaigns and vaccinate infected children in order to limit the spread of these diseases among children. Pointing out that most of the children infected with measles or diphtheria are from families who have refrained from vaccinating their children with flimsy excuses.
