Hajjah: Throughout 2024, Martyr Sharaf Al-Kohlani Rural Hospital in Mabyan District, Hajjah Governorate, recorded significant achievements and strides in improving the quality of medical services offered to citizens. The hospital's growth and the qualitative leap in healthcare services provided to residents of the district and surrounding areas reflect effective implementation of planned strategies aimed at alleviating the suffering of the population.
According to Yemen News Agency, the increased turnout and diversification of medical services over the past year underscore the commitment of the Governorate's Health and Environment Office, relevant authorities, and humanitarian partners supporting the hospital. In 2024, the hospital was supplied with numerous medical devices and equipment across various departments to raise the standard of care, despite the ongoing blockade and aggression.
General medical departments previously lacking at the facility, such as neonatal care, surgery, and X-ray, were inaugurated after full rehabilitation. Several other units were upgraded with the latest therapeutic and diagnostic equipment to enhance the quality, safety, and effectiveness of patient care. Hospital management prioritized capacity-building for its medical, technical, and administrative staff by conducting a series of training courses and development programs aimed at service improvement.
Backed by the Health and Environment Office and humanitarian partners, the hospital implemented various projects to overcome the difficulties imposed by the current situation. On average, 280 patients received medical services per day. In coordination with the Health Office and relevant bodies, hospital leadership worked to expand and enhance services in line with infection control policies and increased inpatient capacity, raising the hospital's bed count to 37 beds in the first phase.
The report received by Yemen News Agency (SABA) detailed that the hospital provided 306,356 medical services in 2024 to 119,631 patients across all departments. The report highlighted that 54,383 patients benefited from outpatient clinics, including 9,836 in internal medicine, 4,018 in general surgery, 11,174 in obstetrics and gynecology, 10,284 in pediatrics, 3,526 in nutrition, and 15,572 in general medicine.
Emergency departments received 19,886 cases, with 488 inpatient admissions, 474 natural births, and 483 surgical operations, including 46 major surgeries. The pharmacy dispensed medications to 121,100 patients, while the radiology department served 6,827 patients, including 4,638 ultrasound scans and 812 ECGs. The laboratory served 16,968 patients.
Additionally, the report noted that 8,532 patients were treated for waterborne illnesses, 2,603 severe cases, 3,021 moderate cases, 5,034 children benefited from the immunization department, 5,363 patients received maternal and counseling services, 683 patients received mental health support, and 214 malnourished patients were treated in the nutrition department. Nineteen premature infants received care in the neonatal unit.
During a free medical camp organized in cooperation with the Health Office, the hospital provided free medical services to 415 inmates at the provincial rehabilitation facility. The report highlighted various training sessions for hospital staff on medical waste segregation, blood transfusion policy, antibiotic administration policy, medical ethics and conduct, patient file documentation, infection control, and quality assurance systems.
Other workshops included sterilization procedures, equipment handling during shift transitions, disaster and mass-casualty management, and training on medical, financial, and supply systems during service delivery. Hospital Director Dr. Mohammed Al-Faqih praised the efforts of the Health Office and humanitarian partners for supplying key equipment and supporting the operational leap following the opening of surgical and neonatal departments.
Dr. Al-Faqih stated that the hospital aims to construct an independent emergency department, build half of the second floor, complete the blood bank and obstetrics surgery room, equip a dental clinic, provide an echocardiography machine, supply batteries for the solar power system, expand the women's inpatient ward, build a pediatric inpatient ward for children with acute malnutrition (TFC), complete surveillance systems, and establish general storage facilities.
Dr. Al-Faqih also emphasized the hospital's efforts to recruit specialists in fields such as ENT and infection control to reduce the need for patients to travel to other districts, in line with the Health Office's plans to improve local service delivery.