Journal of Karnali Academy of Health Sciences (Dec 2020)
COVID-19 Tackling in Yemen: An Overview of Scenario
Abstract
COVID-19 has threatened the whole world with its devastating nature. It is first reported as pneumonia-like outbreak in Hubei province of China in late December 2019. The coronavirus, cause of COVID-19; spread so quickly that the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic in a very short period. Though, initially it has affected the developed countries, the countries in low and middle income category also are not spared. Yemen is a country with low-income economy and has been in ongoing civil war. First case of COVID-19 reported on 10th April with total 1619 cases and 447 total deaths as of 21st July 2020 in Yemen. The preventive measures such as lockdown, social distancing, and personal hygiene are practiced, however there is still lack of adequate resources for efficient healthcare facilities. Poverty, lack of sufficient health resources, proper hygiene and sanitation, and social stigmatization are the major problems in Yemen. No drugs and vaccines are now developed to rely on for the treatment of COVID-19, therefore a preventive measures should be focused for the proper management in countries like Yemen. The concept of “do not take the virus and do not give the virus” with different approaches of preventive aspects through hand-washing, social distancing, wearing masks and gloves, and making people aware in mass utilizing audio-visual media are helpful. The preparation of management guidelines by the government and mobilizing healthcare resources to different parts for proper containment of the COVID-19 cases is essential.
