A rare kind of care. Combined psychiatric and psychological support in Hajja City, Yemen by MSF-OCBA

Overview

Since 2021, MSF has provided free mental health care in Hajjah City, Yemen, working alongside Al Gomhouri Hospital and Yemen's Ministry of Public Health and Population. The programme offers psychiatric treatment (such as medication) alongside psychological and psychosocial care, including individual counselling, group sessions, livelihoods support, and a Day Care Centre, for people with serious mental health conditions. These services are badly needed: years of conflict and economic hardship, combined with other organisations withdrawing from the area, have left many people without any other support. This evaluation reviewed how the programme worked between January 2021 and December 2025. Information included patient records; patient surveys; and perspectives of 29 people (staff, government representatives and partner organisations) on what worked well and how the programme could be improved.

Methodology

• Approach: This evaluation was led by two independent evaluators, with the patient records analysis and the patient survey each carried out by separate specialist teams. 
• Sources: Analysis of over 3,500 patient records from 2021–2025; a patient survey with 179 responses; a separate review of the programme's day centre; and interviews with 29 people.
• Coverage: Interviews included MSF staff, Ministry of Public Health and Population representatives, and partner organisations including INTERSOS, the Yemeni Women's Union, and the Productive Family Centre.
• Period: The evaluation covered January 2021 to December 2025. The evaluation itself took place between May and September 2026.
• Limitations: The two lead evaluators could not travel to Yemen, so a locally based staff member carried out in-person interviews on their behalf. Interviews with some 
  hospital and local government representatives could not be arranged. Patients were not interviewed directly; their views are reflected through the patient survey and day 
  centre review instead.

Did you know?

Since 2021, this programme has provided free mental healthcare to more than 3,500 people in the Hajjah area, continuing throughout years of conflict and hardship.