Children in Yemen are suffering of chronic diseases in normal conditions due to lack of needed lifesaving drugs, the suffering has increased during the unrest in the past three years reaching the worst in the recent operation of the decisive storm against Yemen.
The results of the rapid assessment conducted by Yemen children relief organization (YCR) on the condition of children with chronic diseases during the armed conflicts showed that the shortage of lifesaving drugs is threatening the lives of children with
chronic diseases such as ( Thalassemia, Sickle cell anemia, Chronic Diabetic, Epilepsy, chronic heart diseases and others).
For example, the assessment results showed that there is only 1800 ampules from the primary thalassemia drug (Methanesulfonate desferrioxamine), 502 children regularly depend on this medication meanwhile there are 1000 children affected with this disease, which means half of affected children cannot get this type of drugs and the stock could run out soon. (Deferasirox) is another important type of drugs and the stock is running out of this essential medication, this is a serious indicator since these drug is vital to absorb iron from the body and without it, the health condition of children deteriorate and could lead to mortality.
In addition the rapid assessment results showed diabetes drugs (Mixtard vial ,Novorapid penfill ,Actrapid vial ,Novomix penfill, ) are almost running out and the stored quantity at the ministry of health and the importing company is only 53 thousand packets, this means the remaining stock is enough for less than a month.
These drugs are vital and children could die if they do not get them. It is worth mentioning the total of diabetes patients is exceeding 75000 of adults and children. By comparing the huge number of patients and the available drugs, it is clear the significance of the situation especially with children dependent on insulin.
The assessment results also indicated that the remaining drugs for children with chronic heart disease, epilepsy and others would run out if the embargo and siege continued.
The assessment results revealed that the limited received assistance do not contain these kind of medications and humanitarian organizations and donors focus mainly on food and medical assistance related to conflict injuries ignoring these lifesaving medications. For these reasons, YCR conducted this rapid assessment to envisage this category of children and their urgent needs.