Yemen's kidney patients face crisis as Saudi blockade hampers dialysis supplies

A press conference held at Al‑Thawra Hospital in Sana'a highlighted the severe impact of the Saudi‑led blockade on Yemen’s dialysis services. Health Minister Dr. Ali Shiban warned that restrictions on air routes and lengthy customs checks in Djibouti delay medical shipments by three to four months, leaving hospitals with only 200‑300 kg of supplies per humanitarian flight, far short of the hundreds of tons needed monthly.

The ministry estimates a need for about 700,000 dialysis sessions a year for roughly 8,000 patients, but more than 498 dialysis machines are past their service life and many facilities are operating at reduced capacity or have stopped altogether. Reported deaths total 295 in 2025 and 160 between January and July 2026, with the ministry attributing around 5,000 deaths over recent years to the shortage. Treatment costs exceed $7,250 per patient annually, and over 1,500 patients urgently require kidney transplants.

Officials called for the immediate opening of Sana'a airport to humanitarian and commercial flights, the easing of restrictions on medical imports, and accelerated delivery of dialysis equipment to prevent further loss of life.