Mind the Gap: an Analysis of the International Health Regulations (2005) Core Capacities to Respond to Outbreaks in Yemen

Abstract

Background: there are several states which are unable to implement the International Health Regulations’ core capacities to face the urgent public health threats. Yemen is fronting various challenges to response to the recent potential outbreaks and other public health emergencies due to lack of proper strategies and regulations, which are essential to public health security. It has lived under the turmoil of several rounds of internal armed conflict and political instability since 2011. The overall impact of war and conflict on the health system is vividly observable. The aim of this study is to assess the International Health Regulations’ core capacities to respond to outbreaks during the conflict in Yemen. Methods: The study used qualitative data analysis, including desk reviews and in-depth interviews with key informants. This study simulated the World Health Organization's Joint External Evaluation tool to assess the IHR core capacities in Yemen Result: Based on the result of the assessment (with its three core functions of: Prevention, Detection, and Response), the country showed limited or no capacity to prevent and respond to outbreaks, however, it presented demonstrated or developed capacity to detect outbreaks. This signifies an overall poor IHR implementation in Yemen.Conclusion: This study shows that there has been poor implementation of IHR in Yemen, therefore, an urgent intervention is highly need to strengthen the implementation of the IHR core capacities in Yemen.