We are helping colleagues at Al-Sabeen hospital in Sana’a, Yemen provide essential medical care to save babies and children’s lives in an incredibly difficult situation. Sana’s population is under intense hardship, extreme poverty and food shortages because of war. Cholera is now spreading widely with children most at risk.

Al-Sabeen is highly valued by the population as the only centre in Yemen with a functioning Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) where children with serious illnesses, including those affected by violence, can still access adequate medical care. Al-Sabeen services are provided for free, unusual in Yemen. Staff volunteers are well motivated, but have not received salaries for months and face severe shortages.

Al-Sabeen is led by alumni who completed their post-graduate studies in Liverpool. They are senior Yemeni paediatricians and have shown incredible resilience in the face of war, organising staff to provide voluntary services with minimal resources and risking their hospital being targeted. Their response to a recent cholera outbreak shows their resilience. “We are admitting cases even on the floor, on chairs, inside their cars with iv stands to prevent them from getting shocked. It is a real disaster”.

We have worked with them for many years and have now organised the “Liverpool Friendship Group”. This is informal and not a registered charity. We aim to support and fundraise for the continuation of services. We have raised £7,620 from our first, second and third appeals and additional cash fund raising. This has supported 6 voluntary nurses, 2 doctors and extended the PICU and Emergency services for children.

Their work was highlighted in a skynews report; and a report in the Daily Telegraph on 28th July, explains just have vital this lifeline from Liverpool is to saving lives.

We need to raise at least £500/month to support them. If you feel inspired by their work – as we do - donate in solidarity with our brave and inspiring Yemeni colleagues and alumni pictured here.