Doctors and healthcare workers in Sana'a, led by a former Houthi health official, are exposing billions of dollars in corruption within the Houthi-controlled health sector. The accusations highlight internal power struggles within the group.
For weeks, medical professionals have detailed alleged malpractices by former unrecognized Health Minister Taha Al-Mutawakel, a prominent Houthi leader, and the Supreme Medical Council, headed by Houthi figure Mujahid Al-Ma'sar.

Nasser Al-Arjali, a former Deputy Minister, along with other doctors, have presented evidence of corruption at the Supreme Authority for Medicines, the Public Health Office in Sana'a, and in government hospitals.

According to documents shared by Al-Arjali, Al-Mutawakel received $40 million annually from 400 pharmaceutical companies, forcing them to pay at least $100,000 each into a special fund. Hospitals were reportedly coerced into making monthly payments of 5-10 million Yemeni Riyals (approx. $9,345-$18,690) outside official channels.

Al-Arjali further claims Al-Mutawakel diverted over 1.5 billion Yemeni Riyals annually in operational expenses from health centers and mismanaged $2 billion in international aid by 2018, using fictitious invoices and purchasing luxury vehicles. He also alleges Al-Mutawakel halted vital medical supplies from international organizations and cut off chronic disease medications.

Other accusations include academic fraud, with Al-Mutawakel allegedly facilitating master's degrees for individuals with minimal education. Corruption within the Supreme Authority for Medicines, allegedly involving its former head Mohammed Yahya Al-Madani, and irregularities in ambulance clinic licensing are also reported.