The First Health System Conference Recommends Preparing a National Strategy and Activating Health Insurance in Yemen

The first conference on the health system in Yemen, which concluded its work on Thursday in the interim capital, Aden, recommended preparing a national strategy for the health sector for the years 2026-2035, and restructuring the Ministry of Health, its offices and programs, including updating the regulations and training its cadres in health management skills, with the establishment of clear criteria for nomination for leadership positions.

The closing statement of the conference stressed the importance of enhancing primary health care services and activating the community health worker program as a strategic approach to improving community and preventive health, in addition to supporting physiotherapy and prosthetics centers in the governorates, improving the management of chronic diseases and increasing their operating budgets.

He also called for enhancing the efficiency of government spending in the health sector, and governing community contributions, while accelerating the approval of the Health Support Fund and studying the possibility of implementing health insurance in Yemen.

The participants stressed the need to activate the rural service program for doctors, and develop a national strategy for health human resources, while strengthening the role of the Medical Specialties Council to open courses that meet the needs of basic health services.

They also stressed the importance of studying the phenomenon of the migration of health professionals and holding a high-level meeting to discuss ways to address it, in addition to providing incentives to retain medical personnel within the country.

In the pharmaceutical sector, the conference recommended evaluating the re-operation of the Medicine Fund, encouraging local investment in pharmaceutical industries, and intensifying awareness programmes on the rational use of medicines and microbial resistance to antibiotics.

He also stressed the need to enhance digital transformation in the health sector by developing digital infrastructure, expanding electronic link networks between health facilities, and improving the health information system and electronic health record.

For his part, Minister of Public Health and Population Dr. Qasim Buhaibeh stressed that the conference recommendations represent a roadmap for the ministry’s strategies during the next phase, noting that a special unit will be formed to follow up on the implementation of these recommendations within a specific time frame, and to ensure their transformation into a tangible reality through cooperation with the relevant authorities.

The conference, which lasted for two days with the participation of 600 health cadres, government leaders, health sector partners from local and international organizations, academics and university professors, concluded with honoring a number of figures and entities that contributed to supporting the health sector and the success of the conference.