The province of Raiymah, nestled in the heart of Yemen, finds itself grappling with a profound developmental inertia that permeates through all facets of its society. This stagnation is particularly pronounced in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and overall socio-economic progress, almost as if Raiymah exists in a realm that transcends the typical boundaries of Yemen's geographic landscape.
From an administrative perspective, Raiymah is structured into six distinct directorates, each playing a vital role in the governance and functioning of the province. The population of Raiymah, as per the 2004 census, is estimated to be around 394,448 individuals, with an annual growth rate hovering at approximately 3.04%. However, recent indications suggest that the current population figure has surged to a staggering 800,000 residents, with a significant concentration residing in the bustling Al-Jabīn Directorate, serving as the vibrant hub and administrative capital of the province.
Health Facilities Devoid of Services
In Raiymah, there are three rural hospitals and around 130 health units that lack even the most basic requirements, according to a medical source from the Public Health and Population Office in the province.
The source highlighted in an interview with "Khuyut" that the Thulaya Hospital in Al-Jabeen stands out as it provides surgical services, obstetrics and maternity care, inpatient services, intensive care and surgical operations, and emergency services. However, it is in need of specialized and trained staff, especially in the emergency, radiology, and neonatal departments, among other crucial areas that appear to be urgently required. The continuity of other departments is linked to their presence and perpetuation.
Moreover, the source explained: "The health sector in the province lacks essential medical equipment and devices, and there is no branch for the central laboratory, blood bank, cancer center, or prosthetic limbs center, nor are there any drug stores whatsoever, neither in the Health Office nor in the hospitals. In addition, there is a need for several vital devices, including the Eliza device for medical tests, a digital scanner, a magnetic device, and a CT scan machine. Therefore, we are forced to refer patients to Hodeida Governorate, which may jeopardize their lives due to the long distance and the poor telecoms network."
The medical source elaborates, expressing: "A comprehensive discourse on the state of the healthcare sector in Raiymah province paints a poignant picture of suffering and inadequacy, given the continuous influx of patients, the deficiencies in infrastructure, the scarcity of resources, and the critical shortage of qualified personnel such as doctors, specialists, and specialized technicians for medical equipment maintenance. To underscore the dire state of healthcare in Raiymah province, it is noteworthy that there is a glaring absence of even a designated medical waste disposal facility. Furthermore, there is a pressing demand for hospital expansion to alleviate the strain caused by the overwhelming patient volume."
The allocated budget for the largest hospital in Raiymah province does not exceed 240,000 Yemeni riyals, approximately 450 dollars only, after the operational expenditure support for hospitals from the ministry was suspended. This meager and shocking figure reveals why qualified and specialized staff are not available, leading to this extremely deteriorating situation.
Suspension of Operational Funding Unveils Healthcare Crisis in Raiymah Province
The source has disclosed a revelation so profound that it nearly renders all discussions on the healthcare landscape in the province, where a majority of the population resides below the poverty line, insignificant. They revealed: "The budget allocated to the largest hospital in Raiymah province does not exceed 240,000 Yemeni riyals, approximately 450 dollars, following the cessation of operational funding sanctioned for hospitals by the ministry. This meager and alarming allocation sheds light on the absence of qualified and specialized personnel, ultimately leading to the current highly deteriorating state of affairs."
Mundhir Al-Arnout, the director of Al-Mithaq Al-Muhawer Hospital in the Bilad Al-Ta'am district, emphasizes that the monthly operational budget for the hospital does not exceed 249,000 Yemeni riyals, which reduces to 180,000 riyals after tax deductions. Consequently, the hospital is on the verge of being completely non-operational, even the available equipment, including the sterilization equipment for surgeries and microscopes, had maintenance carried out just a few months ago.
Al-Arnout continues in an interview with "Khuyut": "The buildings of Al-Mithaq Hospital require comprehensive maintenance and vertical expansion of the structure. A separate building for administration needs to be constructed since the administration currently operates from the doctors' residences. The hospital also requires a laboratory for oxygen production, as it is located in a remote area where obtaining oxygen is costly and arduous due to the rough roads. Additionally, the hospital needs a power generator with a minimum capacity of 150 kilowatts, as the current generator is old, prone to frequent breakdowns, and demands a significant maintenance budget."
He elaborates, "Hospitals in Raiymah, including the pivotal Al-Mithaq Hospital, face a scarcity of doctors and specialists, particularly in the fields of obstetrics and gynecology, general surgery, and anesthesia. Currently, the hospital only has one contracted female obstetrician from Russia, working at a 50% capacity. Additionally, the hospital is in dire need of essential medications, medical supplies, psychiatric drugs, and treatments for chronic illnesses."
Further, he concluded that the hospital's services are primarily focusing on administering injections, wound care, managing critical cases, and facilitating referrals. They also conduct cesarean sections, natural deliveries, handle stillbirths, provide care for expectant mothers and newborns. He expresses apprehension about the potential halt of most services at the hospital, leading to its incapacitation.
The Journey in Search of Treatment
Yousef Al-Raimi, a resident of Al-Jaafariyah district in Raiymah, speaks to "Khuyut" about the health situation in his district, stating: "There is no hospital in the entire district. Instead, there is a health center that only opens one or two days a week, lacking even the most basic services. The available medications, such as fever reducers, anti-diarrheas, and similar drugs, are sold at exorbitant prices because there are no alternatives."
Al-Raimi adds, "We are forced to travel to Hodeida governorate for treatment, which places a heavy financial burden on us due to the expenses involved, especially if hospitalization is necessary for the medical condition."
In a related context, Mohamed Ali, a resident of Kusmah district, shares a harrowing tale of the challenges faced by rural residents in accessing adequate healthcare. He recounts an incident involving his wife during childbirth, revealing the dire consequences of limited medical resources in their area. After his wife underwent a cesarean section at a hospital in Hodeida city due to the absence of qualified facilities locally, it was later discovered that medical oversights had led to complications, necessitating further treatment in Sana'a with significant financial burdens and travel hardships.
This narrative sheds light on the profound suffering endured by rural populations, where the lack of accessible healthcare options not only exacerbates physical ailments but also inflicts emotional distress and financial strains. The ordeal faced by Mohamed Ali's family serves as a poignant example of the challenges rural individuals endure, instilling fear and reluctance to seek medical assistance due to the recurring hardships and uncertainties associated with seeking treatment outside their communities. Such experiences underscore the urgent need for enhanced healthcare infrastructure and services in rural areas to alleviate the burdens and adversities faced by these marginalized populations.
In conclusion, the plight of Ali and his wife serves as a poignant representation of the widespread challenges faced by the people in every district of Raiymah Governorate. The harsh environmental conditions, compounded by the neglect and lack of investment in the region by successive governing authorities, create a situation where the governorate and its residents bear a heavy cost in terms of their lives and livelihoods. Ultimately, the narrative of Ali and his wife serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the systemic issues affecting Raiymah Governorate. It highlights the necessity for concerted efforts to improve healthcare services, infrastructure, and overall development to alleviate the burdens borne by the residents and ensure a better quality of life for all.
