Washington: The Saudi Embassy in Washington issued on Wednesday a statement in which it made clear that media reports which indicate that the Arab coalition in Yemen imposes restrictions on the import of dialysis machines to Yemen are incorrect.
According to Saudi Press Agency, SPA, the embassy confirmed that there are no restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid to Yemen by the coalition fighting to restore the internationally-recognised government of Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, including medical equipment, noting that inspections and their mechanisms aim to ensure that no weapons are smuggled into Yemen and these measures do not hinder the entry of humanitarian aid.
The embassy pointed out that the coalition is the largest donor of humanitarian assistance to Yemen, including medicines and medical equipment, saying that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia alone has provided humanitarian assistance amounting to more than $500 million, making it one of the largest donors of aid to Yemen.
The international medical aid agency Doctors Without Borders warned that thousands of Yemeni patients in need of dialysis face a life-threatening satiation after their treatment centres have been pushed to a “breaking point” because of the ongoing conflict.
The group, also known by its French acronym MSF, said on Tuesday that Yemeni dialysis centres are struggling with supplies amid import restrictions.
William Turner, MSF’s chief in Yemen, says those with kidney failure “are at a critical moment”.
Adel Al Hagami, head of the Dialysis Treatment Centre in a Sana’a hospital, says patients who can’t get their weekly dialysis treatment “will die.”
