The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Organizes a Scientific Symposium on Medical Education in the Face of Wars and Health Challenges

The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Sana’a University organized a scientific symposium titled “Ray of Hope: Medical Education in the Face of Wars,” with the participation of a distinguished group of academics and international experts. The event aimed to shed light on the challenges faced by the medical sector amid wars and blockades and to explore mechanisms to enhance medical education and ensure its continuity in exceptional circumstances.

In the opening session, Dr. Khaled Al-Khamisi, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, highlighted the significant damage suffered by the healthcare sector in Yemen due to war and blockade. He emphasized that these challenges have led to the deterioration of medical services and increased patient suffering, especially given the scarcity of resources and infrastructure. Dr. Al-Khamisi stressed that the symposium is part of the university’s efforts to find solutions by advancing medical education and fostering collaboration with international institutions.

He further noted that the symposium seeks to inform the international community about the challenges facing Yemen’s healthcare system while enhancing communication with global organizations to leverage their expertise in developing effective strategies to support the medical sector during such critical times.

The symposium was attended by several distinguished academic and international figures, including Dr. Pablo Allende, the International and National Coordinator of the Network for the Defense of Humanity and President of the Salvador Allende Foundation for Policy, Health, and Integration in Latin America, and Dr. Roberto Bermúdez, President of the Raúl Pellegrin Chilean Foundation, a member of the Walls and Resistance Anti-Imperialist Movement, and a member of the Health Resistance Movement.

During the event, the international guests shared experiences from other countries that have faced health crises due to conflicts. They underscored the importance of exchanging knowledge and learning from international case studies to strengthen Yemen’s healthcare system. Both speakers expressed their admiration for the resilience of Yemen’s medical and educational professionals despite the ongoing challenges, emphasizing the necessity of enhanced international cooperation to support the country’s healthcare sector.

Discussions at the symposium addressed the repercussions of war on Yemen’s health situation. Experts pointed to the widespread outbreak of epidemics and chronic diseases as a result of the healthcare system’s collapse, highlighting the alarming increase in malnutrition among women and children, as well as rising cases of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension.

Additionally, the symposium explored ways to develop medical education in response to current circumstances. Key topics included integrating modern technologies in distance learning, training medical professionals in crisis and disaster management, and ensuring the continued provision of healthcare services despite prevailing challenges.

Following the symposium, the visiting delegation toured the Faculty of Medicine at Sana’a University, where they inspected simulation and clinical skills laboratories, as well as applied programs laboratories. The delegation received a briefing from the Dean on the faculty’s academic and training programs, which play a crucial role in preparing highly qualified medical professionals capable of working in challenging environments.

Dr. Allende and Dr. Bermúdez commended the faculty’s infrastructure and the high level of facilities available to students. They expressed their appreciation for the efforts made to maintain a high standard of medical education despite the difficult circumstances.

The symposium was attended by Mr. Adel Al-Hababi, Assistant President of the University for Media Affairs, and Dr. Anwar Mughlis, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine for Student Affairs, along with several faculty members and a large number of medical students. The attendees actively engaged in discussions, reaffirming the importance of strengthening cooperation between local and international institutions to advance medical education in Yemen.

The event concluded with several key recommendations, including the need to enhance international cooperation to support Yemen’s healthcare sector, develop medical education programs tailored to crisis and disaster situations, attract support from global health organizations to provide medical equipment and supplies, and intensify research efforts to assess the impact of wars on the healthcare system while formulating sustainable solutions to address these challenges.