August 4th, 2024 ― Doha, Qatar: In partnership with Qatar Charity, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) continues to support the Cardiovascular Center in Taiz, Yemen, by providing medications, medical supplies, and consumables and having 330 cardiac catheterizations performed so far, out of a target of 404 catheterizations free of charge.

Special focus is given to vulnerable groups, such as internally displaced people (IDPs), low-income people, persons with special needs, and older persons.

Dr. Osama Mohamed Al-Hilali, Deputy Medical Director of the center, said, “The Cardiac Catheterization Department was established by joint efforts from QRCS and Qatar Charity. It has an Azurion 3 F15, one of the most advanced medical equipment in Yemen. With its HD imaging system, it is used in diagnostic and therapeutic catheterizations and stenting. It helped improve the services provided at the center, accelerate diagnosis, reduce treatment costs, and save many lives”.

According to Dr. Al-Hilali, the Cardiovascular Center in Taiz is the only specialized and reference government medical facility for patients from Ibb and Al-Hudaydah.

“The center receives patients from all over the country, who sadly cannot afford diagnostic catheterization, the primary procedure to diagnose heart attacks, myocardial infarctions, and other conditions that require rapid treatment as they are life-threatening and detrimental to the patients’ ability to practice their daily life activities,” he explained.

Othman Abu Hijleh, Director of Qatar Charity’s office in Yemen, commented, “This is one of the key life-saving projects, especially in light of the current health situation in Yemen. It saves time and money for many Yemenis. It is part of a broader health program being developed by Qatar Charity and its partners to ensure better access to essential health services”.

Launched in April 2024, the project is aimed at enhancing the center’s diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical capacity, as well as providing high-quality medical services for patients with heart diseases, at a total cost of $1,141,289 (QR 4,160,000) from the donations by the benevolent people of Qatar.

Since its establishment in August 2021, the Cardiovascular Center in Taiz has performed major surgeries, such as correction of congenital defects among children, heart tumor removal, artery and valve transplantation/replacement, and Tetralogy of Fallot and Glenn procedures, performed by qualified Yemeni doctors, consultants, technicians, and administrative staff.

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About Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS)

Established in 1978, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) is Qatar’s first humanitarian and volunteering organization that aims to assist and empower vulnerable individuals and communities without partiality or discrimination.

QRCS is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which consists of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and 191 National Societies. It is also a member of several GCC, Arab, and Islamic organizations, such as the Islamic Committee of International Crescent (ICIC) and the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization (ARCO). In this legally recognized capacity, QRCS has access to disaster and conflict zones, thus serving as an auxiliary to the State of Qatar in its humanitarian and social efforts — a role that distinguishes it from other local charities and NGOs.

Both locally and internationally, QRCS has relief and development operations in numerous countries throughout the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Central and South America. Its humanitarian mandates include disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and risk reduction. To mitigate the impact of disasters and improve the livelihoods of affected populations, QRCS provides medical services, food, water, shelter, and other needs of local communities. It is also active at the humanitarian diplomacy and advocacy front.

With the help of a vast network of trained, committed staff and volunteers, QRCS aspires to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity, inspired by the seven Fundamental Principles of humanitarian action: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.