MSF announces the end of its surgical services in Aden by the end of this year

Doctors Without Borders said it is ending its services to treat violence-related injuries in the interim capital, Aden (southern Yemen), by the end of this year.

“Given the decline in violence-related injuries in Aden, MSF will refocus its activities at the Aden Trauma Centre to meet new medical needs and adapt to the changing environment,” it added in a statement on Facebook on Monday.

“MSF will gradually end current activities at the Aden Trauma Centre from mid-September until the end of 2024 to allow for renovation and refurbishment work for a new project in the same building in 2025. During this process, MSF will ensure continuity and quality of care for patients admitted to the facility until their final discharge,” she continued.

The international organization stated that it will cooperate with the Ministry of Public Health and Population in assessing current medical needs to ensure new activities in Aden Governorate after 2024 based on the results of the assessment, stressing its readiness to enhance the medical response in Aden if necessary.

The organization reiterated its continued commitment to providing medical needs for people in Yemen, noting that its teams are working in 13 hospitals in 11 governorates and providing support to more than 12 health facilities across the country.

Last week, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr. Abdul Raqib Al-Haidari, said that Doctors Without Borders "notified the ministry of its decision to end the activities of the Surgical Trauma Center in Aden by the end of 2024, based on the organization's assessment of emergency and future needs."

He added in a clarifying statement on the X platform, "The organization will continue to support Yemen by shifting its activity from surgical services to epidemiological activities."