(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) CAIRO, March 1 (KUNA) -- Yemen's Health Minister Dr. Nasser Baaoum has called upon the Arab countries to provide further support to the country amid the "catastrophic health conditions" it is suffering from.
Addressing the two-day 49th session of the Arab Health Ministers Council at the Arab League in Cairo Thursday, Baaoum lauded assistance offered by countries like "Kuwait, the UAE and Saudi Arabia." Up to 16 million Yemenis are in dire need of healthcare, and 1.5 million children are suffering from malnutrition, the minister said.
In addition, 50 percent of the health facilities are closed, partially or totally, and 17 million people are victims of food insecurity.
This is the outcome of the "Iran-backed Houthis' coup," Baaoum noted.
The region is the scene of conflicts and disputes producing growing numbers of victims, and only due health care can be offered "at a minimum," he said.
The minister pointed to the severe lack of drinking water, and power as well as the spread of diseases and epidemics that claimed the lives of millions in Yemen.
For his part, president of the 49th session, Jordanian Minister of Health Mahmoud Al-Shayyab, said the meeting comes amid "hard and highly sensitive conditions the Arab region is experiencing." These conditions have overshadowed the health and social aspects in the Arab countries and neighboring states, Al-Shayyab said, calling for enhancing joint Arab action to promote the health sector.
Arab League Secretary General Ahmad Abul-Gheit addressed the opening session calling for intensifying efforts to improve health conditions and alleviate the impact of armed conflicts in some Arab states, including Syria, Yemen and Somalia.
Abul-Gheit reiterated the prime importance of following up the implementation of Arab health strategies previously approved by the Council.
These include the Arab strategy for developing initial health services and family medicine, the Arab strategy for health and environment and that of protecting refugees' rights.
The League chief stressed the need for bolstering ties with partner blocs and countries, especially in Europe, to activate joint MoUs in the health sector, making the utmost of their expertise.
The conflicts and disputes in some Arab countries require mobilization of necessary support for those hard- hit by the crises, and containing the ensued health and humanitarian outcome, the Secretary general said.
Chief of the Council's Executive Bureau, Egypt's Health Minister Dr. Ahmad Radhi, underlined keenness on enhancing pan-Arab cooperation and exchange of expertise to promote the Arab healthcare system under the League's umbrella.
Radhi reviewed the Bureau's efforts over the past period to promote the Arab health sector.
The agenda of the 49th session comprises a number of issues, among them the pioneering and successful experiences of some Arab countries in the health sector, and unifying the health legislations in the Arab world.
The Kuwaiti delegation to the meeting is led by Minister of Health Minister Health Dr. Basel Hmoud Al-Sabah. (end) mfm.rg
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