On the frontlines of Project Masam’s demining efforts, the medical team plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the local deminers.
Project Masam currently has 42 medics deployed in Yemen: 32 national manual mine clearance (MMC) team medics, two national doctors — medical co-ordinators headquartered in Ma’rib and in the de-facto capital Aden — and four international medics, who are assisted by three fully-qualified national medics operating in Project Masam’s clinics and in the field.
“We in the medical team are dedicated to providing the best medical services to our brave deminers in the battle against mines, knowing that this field is one of the one of the most perilous environments for humanitarian workers, where major injuries are a constant risk,” said Theyab Al-Dabba, a member of Masam’s medical team.
Project Masam is committed to creating a safe working environment for its personnel operating in such a high-risk field. A top priority for the project is to equip the medical team to meet the highest international standards. Highly qualified paramedics and healthcare workers with extensive experience are carefully selected for the team. These professionals undergo a thorough evaluation process before being deployed to field operations.
“Before deployment, we ensure our teams are equipped with the latest medical tools, including fully stocked medical kits, stretchers, oxygen cylinders, essential medications, and comprehensive medical records. Additionally, they receive intensive training in first aid and self-care procedures to provide rapid and effective emergency responses”, added Al-Dabba.
The organisation’s commitment to training and equipping its teams with the necessary tools goes beyond the initial preparation phase. It also involves continuous monitoring and evaluation through periodic field visits.
“We don’t stop evaluating the performance of the medical team. We organise refresher training sessions twice a year to ensure they are always ready to face any challenges they might encounter in the field,” he explained.
The project’s goal extends beyond ensuring the efficiency of demining teams. It is also focused on providing an integrated and safe medical service that helps protect the lives of those working in this critical field. Given the danger of the terrain, medical ambulance teams must exert extra effort, both in terms of skill and equipment, to ensure safety.
In this setting, it’s clear that the lives of deminers depend largely on the preparedness of the medical team.
“At Project Masam, we make it a priority to ensure the lives of all deminers are in safe hands. Our mission is not only to succeed in clearing the land but to save lives,” Al-Dabba added.
