The UN’s World Health Organisation (WHO) is working to open a humanitarian air bridge to take Yemeni cancer patients for treatment at qualified facilities, AFP reported Sunday (September 16th).
"The aim is to help patients suffering from cancer, chronic diseases and congenital anomalies receive the treatment they need," WHO country representative for Yemen Nevio Zagaria said, adding that 12 health conditions had been targeted.
These include leukaemia, cervical and thyroid cancer, and "patients who need... bone marrow and kidney transplants", Zagaria said.
The air bridge will operate for an initial trial period of six months, WHO said, without specifying where the patients would be sent for treatment.
Around 80% of the patients expected to benefit are women and children, Zagaria said.
"The air bridge is one of their last hopes."
