H.E. Minister of Public Health and Population (MPHP) of the Republic of Yemen, Prof. Dr Ahmed Qasem Al-Ansi and the senior management of Pfizer, the world's leading pharmaceutical company, in Africa and Middle East represented by Mr Guy Lallemand, Regional President of Pfizer in Africa & Middle East and Mr Zeydan Abuissa, Country Manager Pfizer in the Gulf & Levant, have met yesterday to discuss the best partnership practices to uplift healthcare standards in Yemen.
H.E. Prof. Dr Ahmed Qasem Al-Ansi said: "The joint cooperation and partnership programs with the private sector and global companies operating locally are very important resources to support and develop the healthcare standards in the republic. Yemen was on top of the countries in the region which strived to secure the most advanced pneumonia vaccines for children. Since this vaccine is innovated by Pfizer, Yemen is very keen to strengthen the ties with the company and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) which resulted in securing this vaccine in Yemen in record time."

"Considering the tragic fact that 20% of death reasons of children under five years in Yemen are due to Pneumonia, the health office of Sana'a governorate has started to implement the training program pertaining to the introduction of the new vaccine for pneumococcal disease since 2011. The listing of the vaccine within the vaccines plan across all healthcare facilities in the Republic of Yemen is one of the preventive means against childhood diseases."

Mr Guy Lallemand, Regional President - Pfizer in Africa & Middle East said:
"Pfizer has a pivotal role to play in preventing pneumococcal disease mortalities and morbidity, extending protection to as much as possible of children under five years and adults above 50 years. Pfizer has updated the pneumococcal disease vaccine to cover thirteen types of bacteria which comprise 85% of children's pneumonia and cause 50% of children's bacterial infections."

Mr Zeydan Abuissa, Country Manager - Pfizer in the Gulf & Levant, said: "Pfizer is committed to support the endeavours of Yemen's government and ministry of health aiming to uplift healthcare standards. Our team in Yemen is working tirelessly to contribute to the improvement of prevention and treatment's solutions that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Pfizer as an innovative pharmaceutical company is dedicated to cooperate with the government and healthcare providers in Yemen to secure the most advanced health solutions as well to increase the knowledge and awareness about diseases and related prevention and treatments."