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YemenFree medicines for Aden's poorest
The financially driven reform of the national healthcare system, begun in 1997, has failed to improve access to quality medical care in Yemen, one of the poorest countries in the Middle East. The emphasis on cost-recovery (through charging patients for medicines) prevents many Yeminis from seeking the medical care they need. Trained medical staff and essential medicines remain in short supply. MSF works with local authorities in Aden Governorate to improve primary medical care within the framework of the healthcare reforms. From 1997 to October 2001, it supported 12 healthcare facilities in this southern region. After completing program objectives in seven of them, MSF rechanneled its efforts to support one polyclinic and four dispensaries in the semi-rural suburb of Little Aden, on the outskirts of the city. Working with local medical staff to improve the quality of consultations, nursing care, and maternal and infant follow-up is a major part of MSF's work at these five facilities. Since late 2000, MSF has run a pilot scheme exempting destitute and very poor people from paying for medicines in Aden's main polyclinics. It eventually hopes to hand this program over to the Ministry of Health. MSF has been present in Yemen since 1987. |
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