WHO, warned of the growing spread of cancer in Yemen

YemenExtra

SH.A.

The World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Yemen, Dr. Nivio Zagaria, warned of the growing spread of cancer in Yemen as the health system struggled to survive.

WHO estimates there are 30,000 new cancer patients in Yemen each year. In 2017, WHO recorded 10,500 new cases, and only 40% of cases received full and adequate treatment.

Regarding the prevalence of diphtheria in Yemen, Dr. Zagaria said that the current number of suspected cases reached 914 cases with 59 related deaths and 40% of all cases in Ibb governorate. However, he pointed out that the mortality rate from 10% to 6.5% fell within a few weeks, thanks to the deployment of rapid response teams and the vaccination campaign for children under 7 years of age in November and December; Spread to other provinces.

Living conditions on the ground in Yemen are deteriorating day by day, and the number of people in need of humanitarian relief is increasing throughout the country, reaching 15.4 million people in need of health support.

“The situation in Yemen is very difficult,” Zagharia told reporters in Geneva.