The Taiz transplant team looking to begin a medical revolution in Yemen | Health News
The Cardiac and Vascular Diseases and Kidney Transplant Center in Taiz, Yemen, is expanding critical healthcare access by providing affordable, specialized surgeries locally. Most recently, the facility hosted a multi-national paediatric camp between May 16 and 21, offering free treatment to 110 children suffering from complex heart conditions.
Ten-year-old Noor Majid is one of those children. Born with an atrial septal defect (ASD), commonly known as a “hole in the heart,” Noor suffered from chronic exhaustion and breathing problems. Following surgery at the center, she is now recovering in a hospital bed in southwest Yemen.
What is the impact of the paediatric cardiac surgery camp?
The Catheterization and Complex Paediatric Cardiac Surgery Camp represents a significant international collaboration. The effort was supported by the Qatar Red Crescent and Qatar Charity, utilizing medical teams from across the globe.
Surgeries were performed by French, Arab, and Qatari doctors from Sidra Medicine, a leading cardiology hospital in Qatar, alongside Yemeni consultant doctors. Professor Abudar al-Ganadi, head of the center, described the camp as the largest of its kind in the country regarding the number of complex operations performed within such a critical timeframe.
How does the Taiz center reduce healthcare costs for Yemenis?
For many Yemenis, the center is a lifeline because it eliminates the need for expensive travel abroad. Dr. Nader al-Hammadi, a resident physician in the cardiovascular surgery unit, noted that open-heart surgeries for mechanical valves or coronary artery bypasses can cost approximately $20,000 abroad, excluding travel and living expenses.
At the Taiz facility, the same operation costs $5,000. Patients typically pay only $2,000, with the remaining balance covered by benefactors including Al-Kuraimi Bank, the Al-Zailai Company, and the Hayel Saeed Anam Group.
The center’s impact is evident in its volume. Dr. al-Hammadi estimates that 1,000 of the 1,500 open-heart surgeries performed at the facility would have otherwise been conducted abroad. Additionally, the center has performed 220 minimally invasive heart procedures, a specialty that attracts some expatriates back to Yemen for treatment.
How did the Cardiac and Vascular Diseases and Kidney Transplant Center expand?
Founded in July 2021, the center began in a devastated section of the Republican Hospital. Professor al-Ganadi found only two usable floors and a non-functional catheterization machine upon his return to Taiz.
The facility’s growth has been rapid. In its first year, the center performed between three and five surgeries per month and had only six beds. Today, it operates 500 procedures monthly, including 300 cardiac catheterizations, 70 vascular surgeries, and 50 adult cardiac surgeries.
The infrastructure has scaled to match this demand. The center now has 131 beds, including 23 dedicated to intensive care. Since opening, it has conducted 4,340 catheterization procedures, nearly 4,000 vascular operations, 1,500 urology operations, and 164 kidney transplants.
What may happen next for medical care in Taiz?
The center is currently exploring the sustainability of new treatment programs. Last month, the facility announced the completion of its first three liver transplants, an achievement that has drawn international attention.
Professor al-Ganadi has indicated a cautious approach to this new program. He stated that preliminary results will not be announced until after 10 transplants, and eventually 50, following the same gradual rollout used for the cardiac program.
If these initial cases are successful, it could lead to the establishment of a sustainable, long-term program for treating liver conditions within Yemen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who funded the recent paediatric heart surgery camp in Taiz?
The camp was supported by the Qatar Red Crescent and Qatar Charity, involving medical teams from France, Qatar, and other Arab nations.
What is the difference in cost between heart surgery in Taiz and abroad?
Surgeries abroad can cost approximately $20,000 plus travel expenses, whereas the center in Taiz performs them for $5,000, with patients often paying only $2,000.
How many open-heart surgeries has the center performed in total?
The facility has performed 1,500 open-heart surgeries since it opened.
How do you think localized specialized medical centers change the recovery outlook for patients in conflict zones?