Sana'a - Saba:
Primary healthcare represents the first line of defense in the health system and the front line in combating and limiting the spread of diseases and epidemics.
Primary healthcare has acquired a social dimension, relying on community initiatives and volunteersŲ it has played a significant role in limiting the spread of diseases and epidemics in recent years, which the aggression has contributed to in a more deadly manner.
As if the collapse of the health sector caused by the aggression wasn't enough, it has continued its crimes by preventing the entry of diagnostic equipment, vital medicines, laboratory reagents, antiserums, and spare parts for sewage treatment plants, this has led to the spread of many diseases and epidemics, including cholera.
To combat acute watery diarrhea (cholera), the Ministry of Health and Environment prepared a plan to control and contain the epidemic, in coordination with other government agencies and partners, this plan focused on implementing a matrix of measures and interventions related to diagnosing and treating cases.
According to a report issued by the Ministry of Health and Environment, a copy of which was received by the Yemeni News Agency (Saba), the Ministry of Health has worked since the outbreak of the third wave of the epidemic in April 2025 to implement a matrix of emergency measures and interventions to identify the sources and causes of the spread, diagnose cases, and provide life-saving medications.
The report indicated that the Ministry worked to identify the causes of the epidemic and the rate of infection in the capital and governorates, it also identified the sources and causes of the spread of cholera, dispatching the Central Response Team, the Capital Health Laboratory Team, and response teams in the governorates and districts to collect samples from various drinking water sources.
It stated that 196 water samples were collected, 38 of which tested positive through agricultural testing. 106 vegetable samples were also collected, 20 of which tested positive across various districts and governorates.
The report confirmed that the Ministry of Health and Environment is monitoring the epidemiological situation of acute watery diarrhea by issuing a daily report and analysis of cases at the governorate, district, and health facility levels, issuing weekly updates, and sharing them with higher government authorities, it also shares positive water and vegetable sample results and positive laboratory results with the Ministries of Electricity, Energy, Water, and Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources for the purpose of implementing the required interventions.
Regarding the measures taken to confront, contain, limit, and control the epidemic, the report indicated that specialized centers have been established to treat cases of acute watery diarrhea that exhibit signs of severe dehydration, with support from partners, at 20 centers in the governorates. Additionally, 252 irrigation corners have been activated to treat cases of non-dehydration or mild dehydration in the governorates and districts.
According to the report, the Ministry trained 192 health workers in diarrhea treatment centers and rehydration corners on cholera case management and infection control, it also prepared a matrix of roles and responsibilities that defines each entity's responsibilities within the framework of the epidemic control and containment plan. It also supplied health and environment offices in the governorates with 300 kits (cholera kits), each containing intravenous fluids, rehydration solution, and antibiotics to treat cases. Each kit treats (100) patients.
The governorates were also supplied with 42,970 Ringer's Lactate solution to treat cases suffering from severe dehydration and prevent complications, including kidney failure, the governorates were also supplied with 26,500 packets of rehydration solution to treat cases with no or mild dehydration. Each packet contains 100 rehydration solution sachets, the governorates were also supplied with 74,690 rapid tests to diagnose watery diarrhea and differentiate it from other types of diarrhea.
Among the measures taken by the Ministry of Health, according to the report, are directing health offices to receive all cases of diarrhea in health facilities, deploying response and isolation teams to directorates to identify the sources and causes of diarrhea, coordinating with local authority leadership to activate executive offices in the governorates, and developing a chronic intervention plan to control and contain the epidemic, based on a matrix of roles and responsibilities, the Ministry also dispatched epidemiological investigation teams from the Field Epidemiology Program to the directorates most affected by the epidemic to identify the sources and causes of the spread of infection.
Field visits were also conducted by response teams from the central unit, governorates, and directorates to investigate incoming reports and identify the sources and causes of the outbreak, the number of visits reached 8,357, with 8,484 cases visited and 19,337 contacts visited. The total number of beneficiaries of the distributed medications, including oral rehydration solution and zinc tablets, reached 10,085.
Emergency field visits were also conducted to supervise diarrhea treatment centers and oral rehydration corners in the governorates and directorates, Thirty-nine supervisory visits were conducted to monitor performance at treatment centers and health facilities, evaluate services, review data in records, monitor supplies, and provide on-the-job training to staff.
Physical and microbiological examinations of mangoes were also conducted to ensure they were free of cholera bacteria, and the results proved negative.
Regarding health awareness and education to prevent the epidemic and limit infection, the Ministry prepared awareness text messages on the transmission and prevention of acute watery diarrhea and delivered them to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology for dissemination via available mobile phone networks, the Ministry also prepared flash and radio and television awareness announcements and delivered them to the Ministry of Information for broadcast on local television and radio stations.
The report indicated that awareness messages were prepared in cooperation with the National Center for Health and Environmental Media, as well as awareness posters for distribution to health facilities in governorates and districts, and signage on the streets of the capital. Health awareness sessions were also conducted for patients, contacts, and community members through response teams in isolation centers, villages, and districts, these sessions totaled 14,211 sessions, benefiting 111,162 people.
The updated National Guide for Combating Acute Watery Diarrhea (in both paper and electronic versions) was distributed to governorates and health facilities, it contains basic guidelines for combating and managing the disease, as well as links to awareness videos and posters that can be easily downloaded and used through the online link.
The report noted that the Ministry of Health and Environment participated in preparing awareness messages and, in collaboration with the leadership of the Capital Municipality, launched, as a community initiative, the Bani Al-Harith Multipurpose Association's Awareness Week, the event was implemented through the Knights of Development, with the aim of educating farmers in the Bani Al-Harith area about the dangers of irrigating vegetables with sewage water, which has been proven to be contaminated with cholera bacteria. The goal was also to educate farmers in the Bani Al-Harith area about the dangers of irrigating vegetables with sewage water, which has been proven to be contaminated with cholera bacteria, the report also indicated that consuming these vegetables and their role in causing acute watery diarrhea.
Regarding coordination with relevant authorities, the report explained that an epidemic management team was formed, consisting of the Ministry of Health and relevant agencies (Water, Agriculture, Media and Communications, etc.), as well as supporting organizations: the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the Health and Water Clusters, the team held regular meetings to discuss developments in the epidemiological situation, the interventions of relevant agencies, and the required long-term plans.
A central general emergency room was also formed, headed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Administration and Local and Rural Development. Several weekly meetings were held to discuss developments in the epidemiological situation of acute watery diarrhea (cholera), review reports on the interventions of relevant agencies, and develop a timetable for the measures to be implemented by all sectors.
The Ministry has sent correspondence to ministers and governors regarding the outcomes of the Central General Operations Room meetings, emphasizing the implementation of the meeting recommendations, each within the framework of the control and containment plan and the matrix of roles and responsibilities.
Efforts, rapid response, and coordination among various health and service sectors continue to combat cholera, which represents a model for an integrated health response, this effort combines urgent interventions, such as providing healthcare, with long-term preventive measures such as improving water and sanitation services, the focus on community awareness of prevention methods also reflects the stakeholders' awareness of the pivotal role of society in limiting the spread of infection.
M.M
Primary healthcare represents the first line of defense in the health system and the front line in combating and limiting the spread of diseases and epidemics.
Primary healthcare has acquired a social dimension, relying on community initiatives and volunteersŲ it has played a significant role in limiting the spread of diseases and epidemics in recent years, which the aggression has contributed to in a more deadly manner.
As if the collapse of the health sector caused by the aggression wasn't enough, it has continued its crimes by preventing the entry of diagnostic equipment, vital medicines, laboratory reagents, antiserums, and spare parts for sewage treatment plants, this has led to the spread of many diseases and epidemics, including cholera.
To combat acute watery diarrhea (cholera), the Ministry of Health and Environment prepared a plan to control and contain the epidemic, in coordination with other government agencies and partners, this plan focused on implementing a matrix of measures and interventions related to diagnosing and treating cases.
According to a report issued by the Ministry of Health and Environment, a copy of which was received by the Yemeni News Agency (Saba), the Ministry of Health has worked since the outbreak of the third wave of the epidemic in April 2025 to implement a matrix of emergency measures and interventions to identify the sources and causes of the spread, diagnose cases, and provide life-saving medications.
The report indicated that the Ministry worked to identify the causes of the epidemic and the rate of infection in the capital and governorates, it also identified the sources and causes of the spread of cholera, dispatching the Central Response Team, the Capital Health Laboratory Team, and response teams in the governorates and districts to collect samples from various drinking water sources.
It stated that 196 water samples were collected, 38 of which tested positive through agricultural testing. 106 vegetable samples were also collected, 20 of which tested positive across various districts and governorates.
The report confirmed that the Ministry of Health and Environment is monitoring the epidemiological situation of acute watery diarrhea by issuing a daily report and analysis of cases at the governorate, district, and health facility levels, issuing weekly updates, and sharing them with higher government authorities, it also shares positive water and vegetable sample results and positive laboratory results with the Ministries of Electricity, Energy, Water, and Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources for the purpose of implementing the required interventions.
Regarding the measures taken to confront, contain, limit, and control the epidemic, the report indicated that specialized centers have been established to treat cases of acute watery diarrhea that exhibit signs of severe dehydration, with support from partners, at 20 centers in the governorates. Additionally, 252 irrigation corners have been activated to treat cases of non-dehydration or mild dehydration in the governorates and districts.
According to the report, the Ministry trained 192 health workers in diarrhea treatment centers and rehydration corners on cholera case management and infection control, it also prepared a matrix of roles and responsibilities that defines each entity's responsibilities within the framework of the epidemic control and containment plan. It also supplied health and environment offices in the governorates with 300 kits (cholera kits), each containing intravenous fluids, rehydration solution, and antibiotics to treat cases. Each kit treats (100) patients.
The governorates were also supplied with 42,970 Ringer's Lactate solution to treat cases suffering from severe dehydration and prevent complications, including kidney failure, the governorates were also supplied with 26,500 packets of rehydration solution to treat cases with no or mild dehydration. Each packet contains 100 rehydration solution sachets, the governorates were also supplied with 74,690 rapid tests to diagnose watery diarrhea and differentiate it from other types of diarrhea.
Among the measures taken by the Ministry of Health, according to the report, are directing health offices to receive all cases of diarrhea in health facilities, deploying response and isolation teams to directorates to identify the sources and causes of diarrhea, coordinating with local authority leadership to activate executive offices in the governorates, and developing a chronic intervention plan to control and contain the epidemic, based on a matrix of roles and responsibilities, the Ministry also dispatched epidemiological investigation teams from the Field Epidemiology Program to the directorates most affected by the epidemic to identify the sources and causes of the spread of infection.
Field visits were also conducted by response teams from the central unit, governorates, and directorates to investigate incoming reports and identify the sources and causes of the outbreak, the number of visits reached 8,357, with 8,484 cases visited and 19,337 contacts visited. The total number of beneficiaries of the distributed medications, including oral rehydration solution and zinc tablets, reached 10,085.
Emergency field visits were also conducted to supervise diarrhea treatment centers and oral rehydration corners in the governorates and directorates, Thirty-nine supervisory visits were conducted to monitor performance at treatment centers and health facilities, evaluate services, review data in records, monitor supplies, and provide on-the-job training to staff.
Physical and microbiological examinations of mangoes were also conducted to ensure they were free of cholera bacteria, and the results proved negative.
Regarding health awareness and education to prevent the epidemic and limit infection, the Ministry prepared awareness text messages on the transmission and prevention of acute watery diarrhea and delivered them to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology for dissemination via available mobile phone networks, the Ministry also prepared flash and radio and television awareness announcements and delivered them to the Ministry of Information for broadcast on local television and radio stations.
The report indicated that awareness messages were prepared in cooperation with the National Center for Health and Environmental Media, as well as awareness posters for distribution to health facilities in governorates and districts, and signage on the streets of the capital. Health awareness sessions were also conducted for patients, contacts, and community members through response teams in isolation centers, villages, and districts, these sessions totaled 14,211 sessions, benefiting 111,162 people.
The updated National Guide for Combating Acute Watery Diarrhea (in both paper and electronic versions) was distributed to governorates and health facilities, it contains basic guidelines for combating and managing the disease, as well as links to awareness videos and posters that can be easily downloaded and used through the online link.
The report noted that the Ministry of Health and Environment participated in preparing awareness messages and, in collaboration with the leadership of the Capital Municipality, launched, as a community initiative, the Bani Al-Harith Multipurpose Association's Awareness Week, the event was implemented through the Knights of Development, with the aim of educating farmers in the Bani Al-Harith area about the dangers of irrigating vegetables with sewage water, which has been proven to be contaminated with cholera bacteria. The goal was also to educate farmers in the Bani Al-Harith area about the dangers of irrigating vegetables with sewage water, which has been proven to be contaminated with cholera bacteria, the report also indicated that consuming these vegetables and their role in causing acute watery diarrhea.
Regarding coordination with relevant authorities, the report explained that an epidemic management team was formed, consisting of the Ministry of Health and relevant agencies (Water, Agriculture, Media and Communications, etc.), as well as supporting organizations: the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the Health and Water Clusters, the team held regular meetings to discuss developments in the epidemiological situation, the interventions of relevant agencies, and the required long-term plans.
A central general emergency room was also formed, headed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Administration and Local and Rural Development. Several weekly meetings were held to discuss developments in the epidemiological situation of acute watery diarrhea (cholera), review reports on the interventions of relevant agencies, and develop a timetable for the measures to be implemented by all sectors.
The Ministry has sent correspondence to ministers and governors regarding the outcomes of the Central General Operations Room meetings, emphasizing the implementation of the meeting recommendations, each within the framework of the control and containment plan and the matrix of roles and responsibilities.
Efforts, rapid response, and coordination among various health and service sectors continue to combat cholera, which represents a model for an integrated health response, this effort combines urgent interventions, such as providing healthcare, with long-term preventive measures such as improving water and sanitation services, the focus on community awareness of prevention methods also reflects the stakeholders' awareness of the pivotal role of society in limiting the spread of infection.
M.M