SANA’A, Feb 24: Minister of Health and Environment, Dr. Ali Shaiban, alongside the Chairman of the General Authority for Zakat, Sheikh Shamsan Abu Nashtan, officially inaugurated the first kidney transplant operation at Dr. Abdul Qader Al-Mutawakel Hospital, marking a significant expansion of Yemen’s specialized surgical capabilities.
During the inauguration, Dr. Shaiban emphasized that the expansion of the national kidney transplant program follows direct leadership directives to alleviate the suffering of renal failure patients. He noted that the ministry aims to decentralize these services, moving away from “exclusive procedures in specific hospitals” to making them a standard service accessible to all citizens across various facilities.
Institutional Support and Success Rates
The Minister highlighted the vital role of the General Authority for Zakat in making these costly procedures accessible to the poor. Over the past two years, the Authority has funded 240 successful kidney transplants. While operations were previously concentrated at Al-Thawra General Hospital and the University of Science and Technology Hospital, the program is now expanding to Dr. Al-Mutawakel Hospital, with Ibn Sina Hospital set to follow.
In a major medical announcement, the Health Minister revealed that the ministry, in cooperation with the Zakat Authority, is preparing to launch Yemen’s first-ever liver transplant project. He praised the competence of the Yemeni medical teams who have consistently delivered successful outcomes in complex surgeries despite local challenges.
Sheikh Abu Nashtan, Chairman of the Zakat Authority, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting impoverished patients, noting that kidney transplant costs are a burden even for the wealthy. He also announced the upcoming opening of the Al-Nabi Al-Akram Specialized Hospital for Kidney Diseases and Transplants, which will be built to international medical standards to serve as a cornerstone for renal care in the country.
Hospital officials, including Deputy Director Dr. Mutahar Murshid, noted that establishing specialized centers within private hospitals like Dr. Al-Mutawakel aligns with the national strategy to meet patient needs locally. This localization of advanced medicine is expected to significantly reduce the physical and financial strain on patients who were previously forced to seek life-saving treatment abroad.
