The Suffering of Cancer Patients in Yemen: Amidst Pain of Illness and the Conflict

Hanan Hussein – Sawt Al-Amal (Voice of Hope)

Amidst the conflict, the Yemeni arena is witnessing the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, particularly concerning cancer patients. These patients face a double burden due to the combined effects of conflict and their illness, threatening their lives and denying them their right to adequate healthcare. Economic and humanitarian conditions have created a barrier, preventing them from accessing appropriate medications or even basic healthcare.

The economic crisis and the severe shortage of medicines and medical equipment have made cancer treatment a daunting challenge. The destruction of infrastructure has led to the closure or restriction of many hospitals and health centers, forcing patients to travel long distances in search of treatment. With millions of Yemenis displaced to less affected areas, cancer patients face unsuitable living conditions, suffering from malnutrition, weakened immunity, an inability to afford exorbitant treatment costs, and high rates of poverty and unemployment.

Statistics and Reports

Numerous studies and reports from international humanitarian organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), confirm the worsening suffering and increasing numbers of cancer patients due to the bombing and destruction in Yemen. These reports indicate that many health facilities specializing in cancer treatment have been damaged or are out of service due to the conflict, in addition to a severe shortage of medicines and medical supplies, deteriorating hospital infrastructure, and high treatment costs, making access to specialized healthcare nearly impossible for many patients.

In February 2023, the WHO published a report indicating that 46% of health facilities in Yemen were either partially or completely non-functional, hampered by shortages of staff, funding, electricity, medicines, supplies, and other essential equipment.

A 2024 study titled “Challenges of the Health Sector in the Republic of Yemen: The Unequal Confrontation,” published by the Abdeen Center for Studies and Research pointed out that “those suffering from chronic diseases are also at risk due to the lack of medicines at the primary care level, as well as the high prices due to the economic deterioration.”

The study shows that about 5% of deaths in Yemen are due to cancer, reflecting the magnitude of the suffering faced by cancer patients in the context of conflict and the deterioration of the health system. This is due to their need for continuous visits to healthcare centers and outpatient clinics. These patients suffer from the health system’s inability to meet their basic needs in diagnosis, treatment, and provision of essential medicines, not only for cancer but also for other chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and mental illnesses, adding to their ongoing suffering.

It also mentioned that the ongoing conflicts significantly contributed to the displacement of over three million Yemeni citizens to safer areas, doubling the pressure on the health sector to meet the displaced people’s needs for basic health services. Displacement poses an additional challenge burdening an already resource-limited health system.

The Conflict and Cancer Patients

The ongoing conflict in Yemen for nearly ten years has significantly exacerbated the suffering of cancer patients, directly and profoundly affecting their lives. Cancer patients face numerous difficulties in receiving necessary healthcare, from early diagnosis to the provision of medications, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Among the most prominent effects of the conflict on cancer patients in Yemen are the shortage of medicines and medical equipment, the deterioration of health infrastructure, the high cost of treatment and its difficulty for the average citizen to afford, and the challenges of internal displacement. In addition, cancer patients suffer from a profound psychological impact due to the ongoing conflict and lack of healthcare; feelings of anxiety and frustration increase due to difficult circumstances and a lack of adequate support.

The story of Ahmad, a 19-year-old young man, embodies one of the humanitarian tragedies experienced by cancer patients in Yemen as a result of the conflict and the deteriorating economic conditions. Ahmad has suffered from a brain tumor for five years, and his health is deteriorating day by day due to his inability to receive the necessary chemotherapy regularly, either due to its scarcity or its high cost on the market.

Ahmad’s father says bitterly, “The treatment and radiation material should be given to Ahmad monthly according to the doctor’s prescription, and its price can reach approximately $500, which is an amount I cannot afford. Therefore, we have to wait until health centers provide it for free or rely on the help of charitable people, which exposes Ahmad to serious setbacks and health complications, but there is nothing we can do.”

Cancer patients in Yemen face significant challenges on multiple levels due to the deteriorating economic situation and the rising cost of living. The decline in citizens’ financial status and the increase in the prices of goods and services have led to higher drug costs, making treatment unaffordable for many patients. Among the most prominent of these challenges is the shortage of chemotherapy drugs, radiation therapy, and essential medical supplies for cancer treatment, leading to a deterioration in patients’ health and increased suffering.

Beyond the medical aspect, cancer patients experience significant psychological and emotional challenges. They suffer from severe psychological stress and fear resulting from the conflict and displacement, and a lack of adequate health and psychological support. They also suffer from secondary illnesses, such as anemia and malnutrition, which weaken the immune system and increase their susceptibility to complications.

The Impact of Roads and Airports Closure

Yemeni citizens have suffered widespread negative consequences, including disruption of essential services, leading to the deterioration of many patients’ health. A major impact has been the destruction and closure of numerous bridges and roads connecting governorates and cities, making it difficult for patients to reach specialized medical centers inside and outside Yemen.

The difficulty of traveling between governorates, due to the destruction of infrastructure, high transportation costs, and fuel shortages, has increased the suffering of patients and deprived them of access to necessary healthcare and appropriate treatment.

Dr. Saeed Abdallah Ahmad Nu’man, a specialist in oncology and radiation therapy, points out that the ongoing conflicts in the country negatively impact the lives of cancer patients, affecting all aspects of their lives. The continuation of the conflict has led to weak communication between governorates and affected coordination between oncology centers and specialized doctors, negatively impacting treatment methods. He adds that the closure of roads and airports has cut off access for patients, preventing them from reaching oncology centers for treatment on time. This delay negatively impacts the effectiveness of treatment and patients’ response. Failure to adhere to dosage schedules reduces treatment effectiveness. The closure of airports has also prevented patients from traveling abroad for diagnostic tests not available in Yemen, such as PET scans, necessary for diagnosing and monitoring their conditions.

He also explains that the ongoing conflicts have prevented the entry of radioactive materials needed for diagnosis in nuclear medicine centers and materials used to operate the brachytherapy device necessary for treating gynecological cancers. These obstacles significantly hinder the provision of precise treatments and appropriate care for cancer patients in Yemen, increasing their suffering and threatening their chances of recovery.

Cancer Patients: Continuous Struggle

For years, Yemen has faced serious challenges on all fronts. Economic crises resulting from the conflict have led to a rise in the cost of living, and social problems have worsened with increased displacement and the deterioration of essential services. Health and security challenges have further complicated the situation, particularly for vulnerable groups such as cancer patients, who now face an urgent humanitarian crisis requiring an immediate response.

According to Dr. Saeed Nu’man, the health services provided have been significantly affected. The emigration of specialized medical personnel, such as doctors and nurses, to other countries, has led to a deterioration in medical services, due to insecurity and the high cost of living, forcing these professionals to seek better opportunities. The bombing and destruction of hospitals have led to the complete or partial shutdown of some, reducing their ability to provide essential healthcare and negatively affecting the quality of services provided, especially for cancer patients.

The suffering of cancer patients in Yemen has long constituted a humanitarian crisis that requires urgent and serious attention. Efforts must be combined to support them, provide their needs and medications, and facilitate their access to the most appropriate treatment. The question remains: Will peace be achieved in the near future? And will a safe environment be provided to address the health crises suffered by cancer patients in Yemen?