Thamar University Launches First Free Psychiatric Medical Camp in Partnership with Al-Riyada Psychiatric Hospital, Featuring Consultants, Physicians, and Mental Health Specialists.
Over 250 Cases Received on Opening Day
□ Thamar University Media / Jumad Al-Awwal 1,1448. October 12, 2026
■ The Rector of Thamar University, Prof. Dr. Mohammed Mohammed Al-Haifi, inaugurated the first charitable psychiatric medical camp organized by the University’s Psychological Counseling and Care Center. Held in conjunction with World Mental Health Day activities, under the theme "Mental Health: A Priority and a Societal Responsibility" and in cooperation with Al-Riyada Hospital for Psychiatry and Addiction Treatment alongside various medical and community institutions, the camp received approximately 250 patients on its first day.This significant turnout reflects the importance of providing specialized mental health care services and facilitating access for those in need.
The camp was inaugurated with the participation of Prof. Dr. Abdulkarim Ismail Zabiba, the Vice-Rector for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research and the Director of the Psychological Counseling and Care Center.
Prof. Dr. Abdulkafi Abdulfattah Al-Rifai, the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Prof. Dr. Adel Abdulqhani Al-Ansi, the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Dr. Mohammed Hutrum, the University General Secretary, and Dr. Hamoud Al-Mawshaki, the Head of Dhamar General Hospital were also present.
hey were joined by Mr. Malik Al-Humaini, the Director of Al-Riyada Hospital for Psychiatry and Addiction Treatment in Sana'a, as well as various college deans, deputies, department heads, general directors, university leadership and staff, and representatives from community and humanitarian organizations—including Mohammed Saleh Al-Afai, the Head of the Community Committee in Dhamar Governorate.
Since the early morning hours, the camp hosted at the university campus's Psychological Counseling and Care Center saw a large influx of patients. They lined up in waiting areas for medical and psychological consultations and examinations, while medical teams began screening, assessment, and diagnosis, providing treatment and counseling services tailored to each case's health needs. The process was well-organized, ensuring patients were received and directed to the appropriate specialists.
250 Patients on Day One.. Free Treatment Services for Children and Adults
Preliminary figures indicate that the camp received approximately 250 patients on its first day. A total of 189 cases comprising 42 children and 147 adults received examinations and treatment services. Patient intake and service provision are set to continue into the camp's second day, tomorrow, Tuesday. The services provided ranged from clinical psychiatric examinations, assessments, and diagnoses to specialized medical consultations, psychological sessions, and counseling support.
Additionally, necessary medications were dispensed based on medical evaluations tailored to the specific disorder and patient needs to facilitate directing cases toward appropriate care pathways.
The medications provided free of charge included approximately 15 types of treatments for various psychiatric and neurological disorders including conditions affecting children determined by the specific diagnosis and medical assessment of each case. This initiative reflects the camp's commitment to alleviating the burden of treatment costs for patients and their families while providing essential services at no cost.
A distinguished group of physicians, consultants, and specialists participated in delivering these services. Leading the team were Professor Dr. Hadi Majali (Neurologist); Dr. Jamal Al-Lawzi (Psychiatrist and former Director of Mental Health at the Ministry of Health), Professor Dr. Abdulkarim Zabiba (the Director of the University’s Counseling and Psychological Care Center), Dr. Abdu Al-Himyari ( the Deputy Director of the Center), Dr. Hussein Marai, Dr. Ali Al-Ansi, and Dr.
Intisar Karman, alongside supporting medical, psychological, and administrative staff.
The medical team’s roles complement one another in examining, assessing, and diagnosing psychiatric and neurological disorders, as well as providing appropriate therapeutic and counseling interventions. By leveraging a multidisciplinary approach for cases requiring comprehensive evaluation, the team enhances access to specialized care for both children and adults.
The University Rector: Mental Health is an Integral Part of Our Responsibility Toward Society
Thamar University Rector, Prof. Dr. Mohammed Mohammed Al-Haifi, emphasized that the organization of the first charitable psychiatric medical camp embodies the university's responsibility toward society and its commitment to leveraging its scientific and academic resources to serve the public. He highlighted the university's aim to facilitate access to screening, diagnosis, treatment, and psychological counseling services. He noted that the high turnout at the camp underscores the need to expand these services, raise awareness regarding the importance of mental health and early diagnosis, and reduce the social stigma associated with mental disorders.
He explained that the university attaches special importance to the Psychological Counseling and Care Center as a key component of its mission to serve the community, stressing the need to enhance the center's capabilities and expand its partnerships with health and community institutions to ensure the continuity and quality of its services. He commended the efforts of the physicians, specialists, and supporting entities involved in the camp, calling for greater integration between academic and health institutions to provide more comprehensive and sustainable mental health care.
Dr. Zabiba: The camp facilitated access to free psychological care and highlighted the extent of the need
Prof. Dr. Abdulkarim Zabiba, the Vice-Rector for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research and the Director of the Psychological Counseling and Care Center, explained that the camp represents a practical response to the community's psychological needs. It provides free medical consultations and assessments, counseling sessions, and necessary medications, with the participation of specialists in psychiatry and neurology. This approach allows cases to be addressed according to their specific nature and therapeutic requirements while raising awareness about the importance of psychological care and the necessity of seeking specialized help.
He noted that the Center continues to provide free services year-round despite limited resources and insufficient institutional support relying on the dedication of its medical and specialist staff and their belief in its humanitarian mission. He emphasized that the camp aligns with the university's role in community service, alongside education and scientific research. He also called upon relevant authorities, as well as health and humanitarian institutions, to support the Center and develop partnerships that enhance its capacity to expand its preventive, therapeutic, and counseling services and meet growing needs.
Dr. Al-Rifai: Mental Health Care Bolsters Student and University Community Stability
Prof. Dr. Abdulkafi Abdulfattah Al-Rifai, the Vice-Rector of Thamar University for Student Affairs, emphasized the importance of medical and psychological initiatives that raise mental health awareness and facilitate access to specialized care services. He noted that prioritizing mental health is a crucial aspect of student care, helping them cope with the psychological and social pressures that can impact their stability, academic performance, and engagement with the university environment.
He highlighted the importance of fostering a culture of psychological counseling within the university and encouraging students to utilize specialized services when needed, thereby facilitating the early detection and proper management of psychological issues.
He commended the efforts of the Psychological Counseling and Care Center, the medical teams, and the entities participating in the camp, stressing the need to sustain initiatives that align university services with the needs of students and the community, ultimately creating an educational environment that better supports mental health.
Al-Humaini: Dhamar Needs Specialized and Sustainable Mental Health Services
Dr. Malik Al-Humaini, the Director of Al-Riyada Hospital for Psychiatry and Addiction Treatment in Sana'a, praised the initiative led by Thamar University and the Psychological Counseling and Care Center. He underscored the importance of partnerships between academic institutions and specialized hospitals in expanding the reach of mental health services and making them more accessible to the public. He explained that Dhamar Governorate given its high population density and the influx of displaced persons during the years of war faces growing needs for mental health care, particularly among children and families who have endured harsh humanitarian and living conditions.
Al-Humaini emphasized the importance of establishing a specialized hospital for psychiatric care and rehabilitation in the governorate, or designating specialized units within general hospitals and health centers to diagnose, treat, and monitor cases. Such measures would alleviate the suffering of patients and their families and eliminate the need to travel to other governorates for treatment. He also commended the collaboration with Thamar University, describing the camp as a model of synergy between specialized medical expertise and social responsibility. He called for building upon the camp's outcomes and developing joint programs to ensure the continuity of psychiatric care and expand the reach of services to more beneficiaries.
A Medical-Community Partnership to Alleviate Suffering and Expand Care
The camp is being implemented in collaboration with Al-Riyada Hospital for Psychiatry and Addiction Treatment, with the participation of other medical entities and institutions including the Al-Salam Al-Dakhili Clinic and the Oasis of Hope (Wahat Amal) Foundation. Additionally, the Yemeni-Egyptian Company and several local firms are contributing to the initiative’s support. This partnership aims to mobilize the necessary efforts, expertise, and resources to ensure the camp's success and provide its services free of charge.
These partnerships highlight the importance of collaboration among educational institutions, healthcare providers, and community organizations in addressing mental health needs. This is achieved by leveraging specialized medical expertise, facilitating access to treatment, providing counseling support, and raising awareness about the importance of prevention, early intervention, and ongoing follow-up.
Organizing this camp is an extension of Thamar University’s efforts to activate the role of the Psychological Counseling and Care Center. Established in 2009 and operational since 2010, the Center aims to provide psychological care to the community through an integrated preventive, therapeutic, and developmental framework offered without discrimination, despite challenges related to limited resources.
The camp also aligns with the University’s commitment to linking its academic and research mission with community needs. It reflects a drive to expand the University's contribution to health and humanitarian initiatives that directly impact citizens' lives, facilitate access to essential services, and foster a culture of responsible engagement with mental health issues.
The camp is scheduled to continue receiving visitors tomorrow, Tuesday, October 13, at the Psychological Counseling and Care Center building on the university campus. It will proceed with providing free consultation, assessment, treatment, and counseling services as part of an initiative affirming that promoting mental health is a shared responsibility requiring sustained, collaborative effort rather than reliance on seasonal events alone.