WHO Yemen: A health worker’s fight against cholera in Yemen

Aden, Yemen 

For years, Yemen has been fighting outbreaks of cholera and other epidemic prone diseases. In the bustling streets of Aden, where life continues against what often seem insurmountable odds, Al-Mualla Diarrhoea Treatment Centre (DTC) provides a beacon of hope for families battling the devastating impacts of cholera.

Behind every life saved is a story of determination, compassion and unrelenting dedication – stories like that of Dr Khalid Mohammed Jaber, an internal medicine specialist working at Al-Mualla, on the forefront of the battle against cholera.

Dr Khalid’s efforts, supported by the US$ 3 million King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief)-funded cholera response project, have helped transform Al-Mualla facility into a lifeline for those most in need. From providing free of charge care to spreading awareness about prevention, his work shows what targeted funding can achieve.

“Every patient feels like one of my own children”

For Dr Khalid, treating cholera patients is more than a job – it is a vocation rooted in empathy.

“When a patient recovers, it feels as if one of my own children has been healed,” he said. “The joy is immeasurable. It reassures me that my efforts are making a difference.”

By ensuring the availability of essential treatments, diagnostic tools and follow-up care, the KSrelief project has significantly enhanced the Centre's capacity to care for cholera patients. According to Dr Khalid, the support has made a substantial difference. It allows patients to access previously inaccessible care for free, alleviating the financial burden on families and allowing the Centre to deliver effective treatments on time.

Despite these achievements, challenges remain. Dr Khalid emphasized the importance of public awareness in preventing cholera.

“Health education is crucial,” he said. “I use every opportunity – at the clinic, in mosques, during conversations – to inform people about the importance of handwashing, food safety and environmental hygiene.”

There are varying levels of understanding within the community. Dr Khalid observed that while some individuals recognize the importance of these practices, others struggle to adapt and change their habits. Acknowledging that progress takes time, he is optimistic that meaningful change can be achieved. 

Sustaining the fight against cholera

In Yemen, where many families struggle to afford even a basic meal, the KSrelief-funded cholera response project has become a lifeline for the country’s most vulnerable, offering hope and tangible support in the fight against cholera.

By reducing the financial burden of treatment, the project has made health care more accessible. By providing essential resources and supplies, it helps ensure that health care facilities are equipped to respond to outbreaks. Through comprehensive training and capacity-building programmes, it empowers health workers to deliver effective care and protect their communities from this devastating disease.

By prioritizing the accurate dissemination of information, the project effectively addresses misinformation and helps ensure accurate messages reach communities, fostering better awareness and understanding.

Through a multifaceted approach, the project not only addresses immediate health crises, it is helping to lay the foundations for long-term health resilience in Yemen. This collaborative effort highlights how partnerships can create meaningful change, bringing lifesaving support to those who need it most.

“The funding allows us to work with dedication and honesty, lifting the burden from our patients’ shoulders. But the fight isn’t over – we must continue to raise awareness and provide care until cholera is no longer a threat,” said Dr Khalid.

At Al-Mualla DTC in Aden, every patient treated represents a life saved—a life that could have been lost without the critical, life-saving intervention provided through this important intervention.

Since its launch, this project has given a second chance to 250 individuals, including 178 patients suffering from moderate to severe dehydration who were admitted for urgent treatment between November 1 and December 18, 2024. These patients were on the brink of losing their lives to cholera, a ruthless disease that can claim lives within hours due to rapid fluid and electrolyte loss.

Their survival is a powerful testament to this intervention, transforming what could have been tragedies into stories of hope and recovery. Each case is not just a number, but a life saved—a mother, father, child, or sibling. With the continuation such important support, countless more lives can be spared, preserving families, futures, and communities. 

KSrelief support to this centre along with four additional centres,  essential medicines and medical supplies, training and supervision of health workers and incentives for staff working 24/7. This vital support ensures that those affected by cholera can access timely care, preventing further suffering and saving lives across Yemen.