The Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), Qatar Charity (QC), and Sidra Medicine have completed a weeklong medical convoy providing paediatric cardiac surgery and catheterisation services in Yemen. The initiative, conducted at the Cardiovascular and Kidney Transplant Centre in Taiz, delivered 107 free medical interventions for children with congenital heart defects, including 86 cardiac catheterisations and 21 open-heart surgeries.
A team of volunteer specialist cardiologists led the programme, performing examinations, life-saving surgeries, and procedures designed to address complex heart conditions in children. Alongside patient care, the mission featured a specialised training workshop focused on ultrasound-guided arterial catheterisation techniques. This component aimed to enhance the skills of the local medical staff, strengthening the capacity and quality of paediatric cardiac health services in the region.
A closing ceremony recognised the medical team's dedicated efforts and honoured representatives from the three partner organisations. Officials noted the importance of effective coordination with local authorities and healthcare facilities in Yemen, highlighting the mission's role in supporting the country’s strained health sector.
Eng. Ahmed al-Sharaji, head of the QRCS representation office in Yemen, described the convoy as a reflection of the organisation’s ongoing commitment to delivering diverse humanitarian aid, particularly in healthcare. He emphasized the importance of bridging gaps in financial and human resources to sustain medical services and enhance their long-term effectiveness through expertise transfer and capacity-building.
Dr Abdullah al-Nuaim, director of QC’s office in Yemen, expressed pride in the collaborative achievement, characterizing the intervention as aligned with Qatar Charity’s 2026-2030 strategic goals. He noted that the project was aimed not only at meeting immediate medical needs but also at creating lasting developmental impacts to improve the lives of Yemen’s most vulnerable populations.
Project manager Dr Monira al-Aini highlighted the significance of performing over 100 critical cardiac interventions within a short period. She underscored the mission’s focus on maintaining high standards of quality and safety, and on involving local healthcare professionals to build expertise and advance paediatric cardiac care capabilities in Yemen.
This medical convoy follows earlier support from QRCS and QC, which provided the Taiz centre with advanced cardiac catheterisation equipment. This investment increased the centre’s capacity to offer free diagnostic and interventional procedures to both children and adults, alleviating financial and health burdens on impoverished patients. Organizers described the partnership as a key driver in overcoming challenges within Yemen’s health sector and in offering children with heart conditions renewed hope for healthier lives.