Powering hope: how Kuwait’s support sustains lifesaving health care in Yemen

02 November 2026, Aden, Yemen – A child lay on an operating table at Sayhut General Hospital in Al-Mahrah under general anaesthesia when the electricity suddenly cut. With the ventilator no longer functioning the medical team had to ventilate the the patient manually for nearly 20 minutes. The child recovered, but for Dr Aed Ashoury, an anaesthesiologist at the hospital, the incident was a stark reminder of how unreliable electricity puts lives at risk. Across Yemen, power outages and fuel shortages frequently disrupt essential health services. From operating rooms to maternity wards and intensive care units, the lack of dependable electricity has meant delayed treatment, interrupted procedures and, at times, referrals to distant facilities. Today, that uncertainty is giving way to a more reliable and sustainable future. With funding from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the World Health Organization (WHO), in coordination with national health authorities, is supporting the transition of six hospitals across Yemen to sustainable solar energy, helping ensure that essential health services remain available when communities need them most. From power cuts to uninterrupted care in Al-Mahrah At Sayhut General Hospital, electricity used to be available for just a few hours each day. When the supply was cut, critical services were left to depend on unreliable generators and limited fuel supplies. Today, solar energy is making a tangible difference. X-ray services, previously available for around six hours each day, can now operate around the clock. Surgical procedures continue without interruption from power failures. Laboratories, sterilization equipment and maternity services have a continuous supply of electricity. Maryam Saeed, a reproductive health supervisor in Sayhut, says the change has been especially important for mothers and newborns. Previously, fuel shortages meant that essential equipment could not be used, leaving health workers with little choice but to refer patients elsewhere. Now, the ultrasound machines and newborn suction equipment function whenever they are needed, enabling maternity teams to provide timely, dependable care. A lifeline for critical patients in Marib Marib Hospital faced the same challenges as Sayhut General Hospital, with frequent power outages and ageing generators disrupting surgical operations, intensive care and diagnostic services. Najeeb Ali Mohammed Al-Dabhani, Head of the Intensive Care Unit, recalls how medical teams sometimes had to manually ventilate critically ill patients for an hour or more when the electricity failed. Describing the difference solar energy has made, he explains that staff “no longer fear power disruptions or the harm they can cause to patients”. With a more dependable power supply, medical teams can operate lifesaving equipment with confidence and patients benefit from improved continuity of care. Elyas Abdulwahab, a patient at Marib, says the change is visible everywhere in the hospital, from functioning medical equipment and continuous lighting to a more comfortable environment for patients. Investing in care that lasts The improvements in Al-Mahrah and Marib are part of a broader initiative supporting six hospitals across Hajjah, Ibb, Taiz, Al-Mahrah, Marib and Al-Dhalae. By reducing dependence on diesel generators and unreliable electricity supplies, the initiative supports more sustainable hospital operations and helps protect essential services against future disruptions. With approximately 1566 kilowatts of solar capacity planned, the project combines renewable energy systems, battery storage, safety infrastructure and maintenance training to strengthen the long-term resilience of health facilities. It is expected to directly benefit 935 424 people each year, with up to 1. 6 million people benefiting indirectly. For health workers who once struggled to keep equipment running during emergencies, reliable electricity means greater confidence, safer working conditions and the ability to focus on what matters most – saving lives. WHO extends its sincere appreciation to the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development for its generous support and commitment to strengthening Yemen’s health system. This partnership is helping turn urgent infrastructure challenges into sustainable solutions, bringing more reliable and resilient health services within reach of communities across Yemen. Media contacts Ms. Nesma Khan, WHO Yemen Communications Email: mediayemen@who. int About WHO Founded in 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations agency dedicated to promoting health, keeping the world safe and serving the vulnerable. WHO leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage, coordinate responses to health emergencies and advance well-being for all.

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