The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN), in strategic partnership with Yamaan Foundation and in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Environment and the Yemeni Board of Medical Specialties, has launched a 12-month Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) Diploma.
In Yemen, where a mother and six newborns die every two hours, urgent action is needed to close the gap in skilled emergency care.
Through hospital-based hubs in Dhamar and Amanat Al-Asimah, 65 frontline health workers, 40% women and 60% men, will undergo 1,600 hours of intensive, competency-based training. The curriculum combines 200 hours of theory with 1,400 hours of supervised clinical practice, focusing on core EmONC signal functions such as managing haemorrhage, eclampsia, safe delivery, and neonatal resuscitation. Training methods include simulation, on-the-job mentorship, and OSCE assessments to meet national standards.
The initiative directly addresses the shortage of qualified staff in 12 governorates in Yemen, aiming to boost 24/7 emergency readiness, strengthen referral pathways, and retain skilled providers in underserved areas.
As the diploma begins, Yamaan Foundation calls on donors and humanitarian partners to scale up and support this diploma. Together, we can ensure that no mother dies giving life and every newborn has a safe start, even in Yemen’s most challenging settings.