Yemen’s collapsing healthcare forces the sick to seek alternative medicines

Yemen's deteriorating healthcare system has pushed many of its citizens into relying on traditional and herbal remedies, despite the risks. In Taiz, a woman named Jaleelah Abdul Hameed, in her 50s, recounts how her family once used herbal medicine before modern healthcare became accessible. Her mother died young due to inadequate medical care, a memory that haunts her. Jaleelah recently suffered from chest pains, but initial diagnoses were incorrect, leading her to believe she had a colon issue. After taking medication for four months with no improvement, she was hospitalized and diagnosed with liver cancer. Doctors could not provide effective treatment, so she turned to herbal remedies recommended by a local health store. The owner prescribed a mix of ground leaves and honey, though the specific ingredients remained unclear. She followed this regimen for six months, but her health continued to decline. Two months ago, she was hospitalized again, and her doctor expressed concern over her decision to abandon conventional treatments in favor of herbal ones. Jaleelah admits she made a mistake, acknowledging that herbal remedies could not cure her condition. Now back on prescribed treatment and chemotherapy, she is in a much worse state than before. The situation reflects a broader trend in Yemen, where more than 20 million people lack access to basic medical care due to ongoing conflict, severe funding shortages, and the collapse of the healthcare system. According to the World Health Organization, at least half of the country's health facilities are non-functional, severely limiting the response to recurring outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and diphtheria. Those unable to afford treatment abroad are increasingly turning to traditional remedies. Another example is Raqeeb Sultan, 48, who experienced persistent stomach pain after consuming fatty foods. Diagnosed with Helicobacter pylori, he took prescribed medication for eight months without relief. On a friend's suggestion, he tried herbal medicine from a local honey shop. The practitioner gave him a blend of plant leaves and honey, advising him to avoid fatty foods. After two months, he felt better, and recent tests showed no signs of H pylori. Sultan credits the herbal treatment for his recovery and says he would use it again if needed. However, medical experts caution against such reliance, noting that many patients who opt for herbal remedies end up in hospitals in worse conditions due to delayed proper medical attention or failure to follow doctors' instructions. Dr. Adel, an internal medicine specialist who chose to use only his first name to avoid conflict with herbal practitioners, comments on Sultan's case. He notes that H pylori symptoms can fluctuate, and test results may vary. Only qualified doctors should prescribe appropriate treatments, he emphasizes. The growing dependence on herbal medicine highlights the dire state of Yemen's healthcare infrastructure. With limited resources and functioning facilities, many are left with few options. While some find temporary relief through traditional methods, others face worsening conditions due to delayed or inappropriate treatment. As the crisis continues, the challenge remains to restore functional healthcare services while addressing the immediate needs of those relying on alternative remedies.