Sana’a, 9 March 2013 —MSF emergency hospital in Aden in Sheikh Othman District had received reassurance for the full support of the Ministry of Health and Population (MoH) and the Governor of Aden to continue its medical services for the community.

On 5 March a local newspaper reported that MSF would have to close down its emergency services in the hospital.

Patrick Wieland, MSF Country Representative, met with the Ministry of Health office director in Aden Dr. Al-Kader Lassor today who spoke on behalf of the Governor.

“It is good news that the MSF medical teams can continue to provide impartial care and treatment to all wounded patients, victims of violence from Aden and Abyan based on their sole medical needs. It is of utmost importance that all parties respect the medical staff, the hospital and the ambulances so emergency services to the communities are not disrupted.” said Wieland.

In addition to its activities in Aden and Abyan governorates, MSF manages the maternity, pediatric, surgical and emergency departments of Al-Salam Hospital in Khamer, Amran.

In 2012 about 104 patients from Sana’a and Aden travelled to Amman to undergo appropriate surgical treatment in MSF hospital. The main cause was gun shot injuries followed by road traffic accidents, burns, fall downs and other accidental injuries.

In Yemen, MSF employs more than 300 National staff and 20 international staff. Yemeni MSF staff is also sent to other countries where MSF runs medical activities such as Syria, Iraq, South Sudan to name a few.