Since 2015, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) operated the mother and child hospital in Al-Houban, Taiz governorate, Yemen – one of the few facilities providing free, high-quality healthcare in a region deeply affected by more than a decade-long conflict. At the end of July 2025, after 10 years of service, MSF officially handed over the hospital to the Ministry of Health. Just before the handover, patients and the hospital equipment were moved to the new premises, which were jointly built by MSF and the Ministry of Health.

“After offering various medical services for over a million patients in our mother and child hospital in Taiz Houban over the past 10 years, we are handing over this facility to the Ministry of Health, fully staffed by well-trained professionals and equipped,” says Tila Muhammad, MSF country director, based in Sanaa. “At the same time, I find it very emotional to leave, after spending three years in this beautiful and challenging country with its incredible people.”

Although the handover decision comes amid a challenging humanitarian landscape, including recent reductions in global aid, suspension of USAID funding and regional tensions – which have all further strained the health systems in Yemen - the handover was envisioned years ago. Namely, the transition itself started when MSF decided to work in co-management with the Ministry of Health.

When MSF started this project in Taiz Houban, in 2015, the area was identified as one of the most underserved in Taiz. 

“Since the opening we have been providing essential healthcare, emergency services for children under five, comprehensive maternity care including c-sections1, treatment for malnutrition and more,” says Allan Silver Emuna, MSF’s hospital director. “We have also responded to outbreaks, supported complicated pregnancies and offered life-saving referrals, as well as trauma care due to the conflict. Over the years, the 168-bed hospital evolved into a full-scale general hospital offering critical care to local communities.”

The impact of MSF’s work in Taiz Houban over the past decade is significant: MSF treated some 185,000 children under five years old in our ambulances, while over 200,000 were admitted to the emergency room. MSF staff assisted with 67,000 deliveries and offered post-natal care for 133,000 patients. We treated 13,846 children and babies for malnutrition, performed over 10,000 surgical interventions, while admitting 32,165 children to paediatric and neonatal wards. In total, over a million patients received treatment in Taiz Houban hospital over the past 10 years. 

With a population of around 940,000 people in Taiz city and surrounding areas, patients often travelled long distances to reach the hospital as, for many of them, it was the only place they could access healthcare.

Abrar Mohammed, MSF health promotion supervisor, has worked in the hospital since the beginning. She explains the bond built between the community and MSF over the years.

“Overall, the community has a great respect and appreciation towards the hospital, as it is the only facility providing free of charge services, related to mother and child health care, although, sometimes there is also frustration within the community, as it doesn't cover all the health needs of the local community,” she says. “In private hospitals in Taiz Houban, a basic c-section can cost up to US$1,000, which is ten times the average monthly salary, if you have a job."

In addition to co-building the new hospital, MSF will support the authorities with incentives for the hospital staff, medicines and other relevant goods and supplies necessary for the normal operation of the Taiz Houban hospital for the next six months. This will ensure a proper handover and continuation of services for the local community.

MSF is not leaving Yemen or its people. MSF remains present in the country and offers healthcare services in ten out of 22 governorates.

MSF has been working in Yemen since 1986 and has maintained a continuous presence in the country since 2007. Years of conflict have decimated Yemen’s public infrastructure, while millions of people lack access to clean water, food, and medical care. MSF’s work in Yemen and around the world is guided solely by medical needs and carried out without influence from political, religious, or economic agendas. This is made possible by our independent funding — over 95 per cent of which comes from private donors, allowing us to assess needs freely, access communities and directly deliver the assistance we provide.