In Yemen, where ongoing conflict and limited resources have placed significant pressure on the healthcare system, well trained nurses play a critical role in saving lives. In rural areas such as Ad Dahi district in Al‑Hodeidah governorate, access to healthcare is often limited, and patients depend heavily on the skills and the commitment of the local medical staff supported by International Non-Governmental Organizations such as Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF).
To address gaps in clinical training and professional development, MSF launched the MSF Academy for Healthcare in Yemen, with the aim of strengthening the skills and competencies of locally hired healthcare workers and improving the quality of care provided to patients.
“I come from a rural village where there were no health facilities,” says Abdullah Enqad, an MSF nurse at Ad Dahi rural hospital. “My mother lost her baby after a complicated delivery because there was no doctor and nowhere to go for care. That experience stayed with me from childhood and shaped my decision to work in healthcare.”
The MSF Academy began its activities in Yemen in November 2022, with nursing programmes implemented in Aden and Ad Dahi. For the first time, the Basic Clinical Nursing Care learning programme was delivered in Arabic, with the curriculum translated and the materials adapted to the Yemeni context.
Strengthening nursing skills in Ad Dahi
In Ad Dahi, a remote district facing severe gaps in healthcare services, the MSF Academy focused on strengthening essential nursing competencies to improve patient safety and quality of care. Learning activities were completed in December 2025, with 68 nurses graduating from the programme. Across Yemen, a total of 133 nursing staff has now graduated from MSF Academy programmes.
Assessment results indicated strengthened knowledge and technical competencies in all areas, with significant advances in infection prevention and control and dose calculation. Through ongoing practice and close supervision, nurses built confidence in delivering safe medication administration and emergency interventions.
I come from a rural village where there were no health facilities, and access to medical care was very limited. Growing up in that environment made me want to work in healthcare so I could support myself, my family and my wider community.
The MSF Academy training was very beneficial and strongly focused on practical skills that we use every day in the hospital. I could clearly see its impact on my work, especially in how we assess patients and provide care with more confidence and accuracy. This improvement is reflected directly in the patients we care for at the hospital, many of whom rely entirely on MSF supported services. I am very grateful for this opportunity, as it has helped me become a better nurse for my community.
Radfan Al-Qadasi, MSF nurse, Ad Dahi rural hospital
The impact has been visible on the wards. Medical and nursing coordinators at Ad Dahi rural hospital reported that refresher training on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during the programme “saved lives in the emergency room,” while improved drug calculations reduced risks and strengthened patient safety.
“The MSF Academy training is designed to have a long term impact on the quality of care patients receive, including here in Yemen,” says Khalid Abu Hani, clinical mentor with the MSF Academy. “By using hands-on scenarios and workplace based learning, nurses can practice safely, build confidence, and apply what they learn directly with patients in a rural setting like Ad Dahi.”
Investing in local capacity
Beyond technical skills, the MSF Academy reflects MSF’s commitment to investing in the growth and development of locally hired staff and strengthening care where patients need it most. For many nurses, the training has reinforced their professional identity and their role within their communities.
“The training added new skills and strengthened the ones I already had,” says Enqad. “It reminded me that being a nurse is not only about medical care, but also about communicating with patients and supporting their families during difficult moments.”
The Basic Clinical Nursing Care certificate delivered by the MSF Academy has been formally recognised and signed by the Ministry of Health, further reinforcing the value of the programme and the achievements of its graduates.
A continued commitment to Yemen
With MSF’s maintained presence across multiple governorates, the MSF Academy remains a key initiative in addressing Yemen’s ongoing healthcare needs. By addressing training gaps and supporting nurses in their daily work, MSF is helping ensure that patients in Yemen receive safer, higher‑quality care – especially in areas where few alternatives exist.