Yemen: MSF Academy Strengthens Nursing Capacity

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. 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.

Abdullah Enqad

MSF nurse at Ad Dahi rural hospital

What is the MSF Academy?

The MSF Academy for Healthcare was created to support healthcare workers through practical, workplace-based training, designed to have a long-term impact on patient care in the countries where MSF operates. These learning programmes are adapted to the realities of MSF’s projects, with clinical mentors providing hands‑on support at patients’ bedsides.

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.

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. 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.

Khalid Abu Hani

Clinical mentor with the MSF Academy

Salwa Al-Qubati , MSF nurse, Ad Dahi rural hospital, Al-Hodeidah governorate, Yemen “I became a nurse because my mother was often sick, and we had to ask other people to come and help with her medical care, like giving injections or checking her blood pressure – sometimes late at night. I wanted to be the person in my family who could provide that care and support. Today, I feel proud that my family and others in the community can rely on me for medical advice. I am the only nurse in my family, and this responsibility means a lot to me. The MSF Academy training strengthened my clinical skills and improved the quality of care I provide. It has helped me work more effectively, which is especially important in a rural hospital like Ad Dahi, where many people depend on our support.” ©Faten Al-Hubaishi/MSF

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.