Introduction

cross the social, economic, and human spheres. The health sector is widely recognized as one of the sectors influencing human life and existence most, while serving as foundation for citizens to enjoy socially and economically productive lives, and achieve human development.

The exceptional circumstances in Yemen and the mounting pressure on the health sector calls for more actions, since improving the precarious health conditions and providing the best possible level of protection and care for the population of Yemen is considered a priority. This is especially pivotal in the context of achieving Goal # 3 of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Provision of minimum standard health services by the health sector requires robust and sustained support by regional and international partners, with priority to be given to facilitating access to healthcare services, particularly primary healthcare services, to the vulnerable groups, especially those living in remote and affected areas in Yemen, where healthcare services are most needed. Despite the funding allocated for the health sector in Yemen, yet reduced funding is feared to trigger a state of instability, as will be explained later in this issue.

Advocating for stronger political and financial commitment to health, raising awareness around problems facing the health sector, including maternal and child health issues, deaths, as well as the social, economic and developmental consequences for the current and future generations in Yemen vis-à-vis Yemen's commitment to the 2030 SDGs, and improve Yemen's human development, this Bulletin also includes an analysis of the key health and development indicators in Yemen, such as life expectancy at birth, infant mortality rates, reproductive health, and another analysis about service delivery indicators and economic variables of the health sector in Yemen, focusing on comprehensive coverage in healthcare services, healthcare facilities, healthcare workforce, and healthcare spending. Besides, this issue sheds some light on a host of major challenges facing Yemen’s health sector across the institutional, legislative, and regulatory dimensions, with more elaboration on development and economic challenges. The objective is to come up with a set of priorities that would reshape the future of healthcare services in Yemen.