Barran Press
On November 2, 2024, a large protest took place in Lahj province, southern Yemen, as citizens demonstrated against local hospitals and pharmacies accused of selling free medications provided by donor organizations.
Local sources informed "Barran Press" that protesters marched through the streets of the provincial center, chanting slogans demanding accountability and the dismissal of what they referred to as "thieves" in the health sector and local authority. They carried banners urging the local leadership to reveal the fate of the free medications and hold the pharmacies involved in their sale accountable.
Demonstrators specifically targeted the 14 October Hospital and private pharmacies in the October Market of Lahj, accusing them of selling significant quantities of free medicines.
A source within the protest indicated that local government officials are attempting to defuse tensions by negotiating with demonstrators, offering to disclose the fate of the medications or provide satisfactory alternative solutions to the public.
The Criminal Investigation Department has reportedly opened an investigation into the sale of the free medications, and the case will be referred to the public prosecutor.
Additionally, beneficiaries of the free medications are calling on the Health Office to form a committee to investigate the incident and inform the public of the findings, demanding accountability for those involved in selling the medicines and denying access to the needy.
As of now, the specific types and quantities of the stolen medications remain unclear, and there has been no official comment from local authorities regarding the incident as of 5:41 PM local time in Aden.