Health Minister inaugurates resumption of corneal transplant operations

The Minister of Public Health and Population, Dr. Taha Al-Mutawakel, inaugurated  in Sana’a the resumption of corneal transplantation, after it had been suspended for eight years as a result of the aggression and siege.

During the inauguration, Al-Mutawakel praised the efforts of ophthalmologists, consultants and technicians, headed by Dr. Yahya Al-Assali, to work to resume this type of operations that cause the blockade and the closure of Sana’a International Airport.

He pointed out that operations can be performed in all eye centers in the capital’s secretariat hospitals, whether in the bodies of Al-Thawra Hospital, Al-Jumhuri Hospital or Kuwait Hospital.

Dr. Al-Mutawakel said, “Today, corneal transplant operations are being resumed for the first cases, with specific arrangements to transfer the cornea from foreign countries to the capital’s secretariat, as the first cornea arrived for this case, whose results will be successful.”

He added, “Cornea transplantation is one of the operations that the aggression put obstacles in the way of its conduct, although it is not complicated due to the closure of Sana’a airport and the obstruction of the arrival of corneas from abroad.”

In turn, the head of the cornea transplant team, Dr. Yahya Al-Assali, appreciated the support of the Health Minister and encouraged him to resume such important operations.

He referred to the complications and obstacles imposed by the aggression on the recruitment of corneas from abroad in terms of delays and complex procedures for their arrival in the country.

He pointed out that the resumption of corneal transplantation in Yemen will reduce the financial burdens and expenses of the citizens that they spend on traveling for treatment abroad by 20 percent.