Juveniles and the Right to Healthcare: An Urgent Necessity in Yemen

Alia Mohammed – Sawt Al-Amal (Voice of Hope)

The issue of juvenile care in Yemen is one of the most pressing humanitarian issues facing significant challenges due to the ongoing conflicts and armed clashes in the country. These children, who are the most vulnerable group in society, face numerous risks that threaten their lives and well-being. In this context, the importance of providing comprehensive and integrated healthcare for this marginalized group is paramount, as it is an absolute necessity to ensure the protection of their fundamental rights and enable them to live with dignity.

Healthcare for juveniles in Yemen is a vital issue that goes beyond being just a medical service; it is an investment in the future of children and society as a whole, especially in light of the difficult circumstances the country is going through. Yemen is witnessing high rates of child mortality due to infectious diseases and malnutrition, which threatens the continuity of the next generation. Therefore, attention to healthcare for children in general, and juveniles in particular, is an urgent need that contributes to societal participation in various aspects and helps in their development and growth.

Abdul-Rahman Al-Qudaimi, an assistant pediatrician, believes that providing appropriate healthcare for juveniles is a fundamental right for all children, including juveniles, and that providing care for them is an international and moral obligation.

He added: “Healthcare plays a major role in ensuring the proper physical, mental, and psychological development of children. Vaccinations and early detection tests contribute to protecting juveniles from infectious diseases and serious injuries, and also contribute to their rehabilitation and reintegration into society to become productive individuals after they leave juvenile detention centers.”

In a related context, Ijlal Afif, an assistant physician, says: “Yemen is going through difficult health conditions as a result of the deterioration of the health sector infrastructure and the lack of security and stability in the country. Many juveniles have suffered from malnutrition and common diseases, such as diarrhea, infections, and respiratory diseases. In addition to that, some of them have suffered psychological trauma and mental disorders as a result of not having access to the necessary health services promptly.”

She pointed out that the care of juveniles requires an integrated approach that combines medical, psychological, and social care to ensure their healthy and comprehensive growth. At this age, they need special care that meets their diverse needs and protects them from the risks they may face.

Types of Healthcare for Juveniles

Regarding the medical care that should be provided to juveniles, Marwa Najib, a pediatrician, says: “Juveniles in Yemen are suffering from a severe humanitarian crisis that makes them the most vulnerable group in society. The ongoing conflict and armed clashes have deprived this group of their most basic rights, including the right to health, education, and protection, which necessitates concerted efforts to provide them with urgent health, psychological, social, and rehabilitative care.”

She added: “Juveniles need basic medical care, including regular check-ups and treatment for common illnesses, such as diarrhea, malnutrition, and infections. They also need the necessary vaccinations to protect them from infectious diseases. These services are essential to ensure their physical health and proper growth.

She also explained that juveniles are in dire need of psychological and social support due to the psychological trauma and violence they have been subjected to as a result of the conflict, displacement, and family and societal abuse. It is necessary to provide psychological counseling services and social integration programs to help them recover and cope with the difficult circumstances they are going through.

She said: “Providing juveniles with adequate and healthy food prevents them from suffering from malnutrition and strengthens their immunity and health in the future. Providing clean water supplies and adequate sanitation facilities also helps prevent the spread of waterborne diseases to them.”

She stressed the importance of cooperation and solidarity between government agencies, international organizations, civil society organizations, and the community in providing integrated health, psychological, and social support to juveniles in Yemen.

Challenges and Difficulties

The ongoing conflict in Yemen has caused a deterioration of the health sector in general across the country, and many health facilities have ceased providing health services to members of the community. Despite the efforts made by the government, and local and international supporting organizations in providing healthcare to the community, especially for juveniles, there are many challenges facing the work of these efforts on the ground.

Regarding the challenges, Abdul-Rahman Al-Qudaimi says: “The conflict has caused the deterioration of the health infrastructure in Yemen, which has limited the ability of health facilities to provide the necessary services to members of the community in various Yemeni governorates and regions, especially for juveniles.”

He explained that the health sector in Yemen suffers from a severe shortage of medical resources and basic supplies, which threatens the lives of thousands, especially children who are most vulnerable to diseases. The acute shortage of medicines, vaccines, and immunizations, in addition to medical equipment, hinders the provision of necessary healthcare in many health facilities. The deteriorating security situation, which prevents medical aid from reaching affected and remote areas, is also one of the most important challenges facing the health sector in Yemen.

In a 2023 World Health Organization report, it was confirmed that the lack of funding from donor countries to the health sector in Yemen will lead to the suspension of support for up to 1,000 health facilities; 10 million people, including 7.9 million children, will not have access to essential health services; and 1.1 million children suffering from severe acute malnutrition will be at risk of deteriorating health or death.

Al-Qudaimi also confirmed that juveniles in Yemen suffer from a severe lack of legal protection, which exposes them to serious health risks. The absence of clear legislation that guarantees their right to access healthcare leads to their marginalization and prevents them from accessing basic medical services.

Recommendations and Proposed Solutions

Numerous press reports indicate that providing comprehensive healthcare for juveniles in Yemen would significantly impact their protection, recovery, and reintegration into society.  Therefore, several steps are crucial to enhance healthcare access for these vulnerable youth. These include developing the health infrastructure in correctional facilities and prisons to ensure basic medical care, increasing funding for essential medicines and medical supplies through coordinated efforts between governmental bodies, and local and international organizations, and developing a comprehensive strategy for juvenile care that prioritizes health alongside strengthened nutrition, preventive care, and support programs. Additionally, launching media and awareness campaigns across various platforms to highlight the importance of addressing the health needs of young people, coupled with seminars and workshops, can significantly contribute to raising community awareness about the importance of medical care and social reintegration for juveniles.

Ultimately, improving healthcare for juveniles in Yemen hinges on a multi-pronged approach encompassing increased funding for the health sector, training medical personnel, providing medicines and medical equipment, and implementing health awareness programs, all of which constitute an urgent humanitarian and moral imperative to secure a brighter future for Yemen and its people.