HI opens a prosthetic center in Hodeidah, Yemen

A center to address rehabilitation needs

Located in western Yemen, the center serves both the local population and those from several neighboring governorates, providing essential services to people in need of prosthetics, orthotics, or rehabilitation sessions.

Upon opening, the Prosthetics and Orthotics (P&O) center begins its activities with an initial capacity of 350 patients. This number will gradually increase to between 500 and 600 participants by 2026. Eventually, the center will be equipped to accommodate up to 3,600 individuals annually.

To strengthen its capacity, a project is also underway to integrate 12 students from the prosthetics and orthotics education program in Sana’a. Once they graduate in 2026, these students will join the center’s teams. With continuous reinforcement of the teams and resources, the center will be able to meet the growth.

An essential network in Yemen

HI currently supports five Physical Rehabilitation Centers, including the recently inaugurated one in Hodeidah, offering prosthetic and orthotic services in Yemen. In addition, HI also supports 15 rehabilitation units within hospitals in various regions of the country, enhancing access to care for thousands of people.

In 2024, HI provided 276 prosthetic and orthotic devices throughout the country.

A population affected by conflict

In Yemen, years of conflict have left deep scars on the population. War-related injuries, such as explosive remnants of war (ERW), gunfire, or explosions, are among the leading causes of amputations. In 2024, HI provided 73 prostheses across the country, with 94% of them being for injuries directly related to the war.

However, other rehabilitation needs are also addressed at the Hodeidah center. Domestic accidents account for 24% of cases of rehabilitation, followed by road accidents (20%) and chronic illnesses or congenital conditions (28%).

A personalized care journey

At the Hodeidah center, each beneficiary follows an individualized care path, from the initial assessment to the final fitting of the devices. For prosthetics, the process includes key steps such as molding, trial fittings, and final adjustments, followed by rehabilitation sessions that can last from 1 to 3 hours per day. Orthotics generally require less time, but interventions follow a strict methodology to ensure comfort and functionality.

HI provides regular follow-up aftercare, encouraging patients to return for additional consultations. If any issues or discomfort arise with the device, patients are encouraged to visit the center promptly for further adjustments.

The center is equipped with modern and specialized devices for each stage of the process. The rehabilitation unit uses tools such as treadmills, balance boards, and resistance bands, which are essential for improving mobility and muscle strength. The prosthesis and orthosis unit also has custom manufacturing machines, ensuring that devices are perfectly tailored to each patient’s anatomy for optimal comfort.