Holm Akhdar – Special
Dr. Eshraq Al-Sebaei, the assistant deputy minister at the Ministry of Public Health, and the official spokesperson for the Yemen Supreme National Emergency Committee for Covid19 YSNECCOVID19 in Aden, confirms that Oil pollution does have impacts on gender in Shabwah governorate, as a recent witnessed case, for it has been subject to frequent oil spills over the past two decades.
In November 2010, Shabwah Governorate, located amid the southern part of Yemen, was exposed to oil pollution for the first time. Since then, dozens of constant environmental disasters have occurred due to frequent oil spills that affected six districts within Shabwah governorate.
For the past 18 years, Dr. Eshraq worked as a gynecologist and obstetrician in Shabwah governorate. During her work period, she noticed that most of the medical cases she received were congenital defects, premature births, and cancers.
In a Special interview with Holm Akhdar, Dr. Eshraq said: “We have conducted a research study, and it is about to be introduced to the Woman Center at the University of Aden. The study results confirmed that people in the areas, where the study was conducted, were subject to many congenital defects, premature births, and many infertility diseases. In addition, perceptible effects on gender have been noted. Furthermore, pollution had remarkably affected people’s bodies within the study area. There are those who have had skin cancer and leprosy disease.”
“And herein we call on the in charge and concerned authorities to make some reforms and take necessary measures, especially in the areas near the oil production fields. Besides, oil companies have to meet their commitments in preserving the environment adjoining oil production fields by using modern methods when extracting Oil. Plus launching awareness-raising campaigns for people in the affected areas”.
“In case of the FSO Safer exploding, severe oil combustion would cause gas emissions and smoke clouds generating a major problem of acid rain, which in turns would directly pollute the environment, agricultural crops, and human health”. Alsebaei continued.
