Yemen’s health sector is in the midst of one of the world’s largest humanitarian emergencies. Historic universal care has been undermined by war, economic decline, and severe shortages of medicines, staff, and equipment. Only around half of all public hospitals and health centers are fully functional, with the rest offering limited or irregular services. The government and partners, with the new National Quality of Health Care Strategy 2025–2030, are working to rebuild safe, quality care with support from international groups and the World Health Organization.
Begin your understanding and plan:
Hospital System Structure—Levels, Regions, and Types
1. Four-Tiered Public Hospital Network
- Primary Level: Health units and health centers—the front line for preventive care, minor illness, basic childbirth, and emergencies in every district.
- Secondary (District) Hospitals: Basic surgery, obstetric care, emergency stabilization, limited diagnostic and inpatient care (often affected by supply and workforce shortages).
- Tertiary (Governorate/Referral) Hospitals: Located in major cities, providing advanced surgery, trauma, maternal/child health, ICU, and some specialty clinics. Serve as the referral destination for urgent and complex cases.
- Quaternary/Specialized Centers: Very few national-level hospitals offer cancer care, cardiac, complex pediatrics, and dialysis—most in major cities and often supported by international partners.
2. Private and NGO Facilities
- Private Hospitals/Clinics: Widely variable—some offer higher comfort, faster access, and more reliable supplies for those who can pay (USD or local currency).
- NGO & Humanitarian Clinics (ICRC, Red Crescent/Red Cross, MSF): Essential for those with urgent needs, especially where public hospitals are closed or short-staffed.
National Strategy & Reform: Quality and Patient Safety
- The 2025–2030 National Quality of Health Care Strategy, led by the Ministry of Public Health and partners, aims to:
- Improve patient safety, quality monitoring, infection control, and access.
- Train/retrain healthcare workers and strengthen digital data systems.
- Enhance maternal/child health and expand the Minimum Service Package (MSP) across all levels.
- Actively engage patients and communities in advocacy and feedback for better care.
The Real Patient Journey: Survival and Navigation
Step 1: Preparation & Planning
- Research and save the addresses/numbers of at least two hospitals (public, private, NGO) in your locality.
- Prepare a “go kit”: ID, list of medical conditions, medications, water, snacks, essential hygiene, cash, insurance papers, and the contact for a trusted interpreter/family member.
Step 2: Seeking Care
- For immediate emergencies, go to the nearest public or private hospital. If public ER is non-functional, seek NGO or private help quickly.
- For childbirth, chronic disease flare, or scheduled surgery: arrange referral and check availability of surgical team, medicines, blood, and supplies well before you need care.
Step 3: Admission & Treatment
- Bring all documentation, essential medications, sheets, food, water, and hygiene supplies—especially at government hospitals.
- Assign a family member or friend as advocate; they may need to source medicines/supplies from local pharmacies.
Step 4: Aftercare & Follow-Up
- Discharge summaries may be manual/paper—take photos for digital backup.
- Plan for follow-up either at a clinic or through telemedicine (where available via NGOs/private).
- Continue to monitor for complications—keep contacts handy for emergencies.
Key Hospitals & Centers in Yemen
| Name/Type | City/Region | Sector | Services & Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al-Thawra Hospital | Sana’a/others | Public | Largest referral center, trauma, ICU, surgery |
| Al-Jumhuri Hospital | Sana’a | Public | Surgery, maternal, chronic, pediatrics |
| Republican Teaching Hosp | Aden | Public | Surgery, trauma, obstetric, ICU |
| Public District Hospitals | All governorates | Public | Emergency, basic surgery, child/maternal |
| Red Cross/MSF Clinics | Conflict regions | NGO | Trauma, surgery, stabilization, vaccination |
| Private General/Specialty | Major cities | Private | Elective & advanced care for fee |
Specialty Areas & Practical Tips
- Surgery/Trauma: Major public hospitals serve as trauma/surgery hubs, but bring supplies. Private or NGO-supported clinics often provide faster stabilization in emergencies.
- Maternal/Child: One of the highest maternal and newborn mortality rates globally—seek out major city or NGO-backed facilities for delivery and newborn care.
- Infectious Diseases & Vaccines: Polio, measles, and cholera remain challenges. Ensure children’s vaccines are current, especially before travel or surgery.
- Chronic Disease: Stock up on meds; regular follow-up at clinics is essential but may be disrupted.
Patient Stories & Voices
- “We traveled three hours and brought our own supplies for hospital surgery—staff were caring, but resources were limited.”
- “The Red Cross clinic saved my son’s life with trauma care and helped us find ongoing medicine.”
- “We used MyHospitalNow to find which hospitals in Aden had working X-ray and blood bank services during the last crisis.”
Checklist for a Yemen Hospital Visit
- ☐ ID, medical card, emergency numbers
- ☐ Own supply kit: medications, wound care, bottled water, snacks, hygiene
- ☐ Emergency contact, insurance or funds (for private care)
- ☐ List of current conditions, medications, allergies
- ☐ Interpreter or family advocate
- ☐ Discharge/aftercare plan and local clinic/NGO contact
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all hospitals still open and free?
About half function fully; public hospitals are legally free but often require purchase of medicines. Private/NGO clinics charge or are supported by aid.
How do expats or travelers access care?
Private and NGO clinics are best—payment may be required in hard currency, and English/interpretation available in some.
Are there digital health options?
Limited to cities and larger NGOs—paper documentation is the norm, but digital expansion is part of future plans.
How do I know which hospital to trust?
Use Hospitals in Yemen category for updated user reviews, open facilities, and planning advice.
Using MyHospitalNow in Yemen
- Access Hospitals in Yemen category for comprehensive listings, user reviews, local survival checklists, and expert advice.
- Download prep and discharge guides, follow planning updates, and check regional status before emergencies happen.
Start Your Yemen Hospital Journey
Whether facing urgent surgery, childbirth, or chronic disease in tough circumstances, Yemen’s hospitals—with all their challenges—remain vital lifelines. MyHospitalNow empowers you to compare, prepare, and advocate for the best available care.
- Start at the homepage
- Get every region, story, and survivor tip at the Hospitals in Yemen category
Prepare, act, and choose wisely with MyHospitalNow as Yemen’s most accessible hospital and survival guide.