Impact of the Armed Conflict of 2015-2016 in Aden on Health Services and the Availability of Medicines

Abstract

To assess the impact of the armed conflict of 2015-2016 on the availability of medicines and health service in Aden Governorate whilst the rebels over-run the city. A cross sectional survey was done during the period, September-November 2016. The survey included 63 medicinal preparations as marker medicines in 142 public health facilities including private pharmacies. Direct questions and a retrospective study of the United Nations and other organizations that were working in area reporting were studied. I.V. fluids had the highest availability in the market whilst vaccines had the lowest average availability at 60%. Medicine prices were increased by 71%. The function of health facilities was almost on the verge of collapse. The four districts containing the main hospital and the medical stores were inaccessible and completely controlled by the rebels. Two out of six hospitals remain functional. Dengue and malaria rampantly spread and approximately 65,250 civilians were affected. The situation was further aggravated by the absence of basic services such as electricity, water and food.