**Yemen’s Health System Faces Imminent Collapse, Warns Health Minister**
*Published on September 27, 2026*
Yemen's health system is on the brink of collapse in several regions, as warned by Qasim Buhaibeh, the Minister of Public Health and Population. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Buhaibeh highlighted the dire consequences of a significant decline in funding for health services, which could lead to a complete cessation of health care in some areas.
The ongoing conflict in Yemen has exacerbated the health crisis, with the minister noting that the health sector is struggling to cope with additional waves of displacement caused by the war. A lack of resources has already forced the closure of numerous health facilities, resulting in critical shortages of medicines, medical supplies, and fuel necessary for operations.
Buhaibeh emphasized that essential services, including emergency care, maternal and child health, vaccination programs, nutrition services, and treatments for chronic conditions such as dialysis and cancer, are particularly at risk due to dwindling financial support. He pointed out that health data updated through June 2026 indicates that approximately 19.3 million people in Yemen are in need of health assistance. However, funding for the health response has only reached about 17 percent of the required amount.
The operational capacity of health facilities has also been severely impacted, with Buhaibeh estimating that less than 50 percent of facilities are functioning at full capacity. This figure is a stark contrast to the World Health Organization's previous estimate of 60 percent. The minister attributed this decline to the ongoing conflict and the challenges in maintaining health services amidst increasing demand.
Recent reports indicate that the war has displaced over 134,550 individuals between June and September 22, with the majority of displacements occurring in the governorates of Taiz, Lahij, and Aden. This influx of displaced persons has further strained already limited health resources, compounding the challenges faced by healthcare providers.
Buhaibeh also noted that the reporting of health data from Houthi-controlled areas has been suspended for nearly a year. This lack of information hampers the ability of authorities to form a comprehensive understanding of the health situation across the country.
The minister raised alarms about the intersection of displacement, malnutrition, and low vaccination rates, which have coincided with outbreaks of infectious diseases such as cholera, measles, and polio. In 2025 alone, over 27,000 confirmed cases of measles were reported, and nearly half of Yemen's children under five years old are suffering from chronic malnutrition.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported that nearly 130,000 people, or approximately 30,000 households, have been displaced across seven governorates since early September, when fighting intensified between the Iran-backed Houthi forces and the internationally recognized Yemeni government coalition.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the urgent need for increased funding and international support for Yemen's health sector becomes increasingly critical. Without immediate intervention, the consequences for the population could be devastating, further exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.