Yemen Medical Tourism

Welcome to Yemen

The second biggest country in the Arabian Peninsula, known officially as the Republic of Yemen, is renowned for its coastline attractions and historically rich sites. The starting point of the old  Sabaeans (biblical Sheba) empire, Yemen was in that period a flourishing trading state. The country was later divided by the Ottoman and British empires in the early 20th century. The Zaydi Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen, formed after World War I in the north of the country, and the south part, which was under British protectorate until 1967, joined to form the modern republic of Yemen in 1990.

Yemen in a snapshot

• Currency – Yemeni rial
• Language – Arabic
• Climate – Subtropical dry, hot desert climate with low annual rainfall, very high temperatures in summer, and a big difference between the maximum and minimum temperatures, especially in the inland areas.
• Capital – Sana’a

Yemen is a developing country. Ruling Yemen has proven to be a hard job for a single individual or institution, thus, the governance of the country is a collaborative one, power being shared between the president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, major general Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, who controls the largest part of the army, and sheikh Abdullah al-Ahmar, a well-known figurehead of the Islamist Islah party.

Political intrigues aside, Yemen offers many things for tourists looking for something to do. If you want to see and explore the old part of Yemen’s capital Sana’a, the UNESCO-protected old part of the city provides many tourist attractions, from colorful fabrics blowing in the wind, to the intricate maze of galleries leading through the small streets, surrounded by earthy houses.

If you don’t like mingling with the locals, but still want to get to know the Arabian country, then the National Museum is the place for you. The former palace of Imam Ahmed offers a rare and unadulterated glimpse into the life of one of Yemen’s most influential man. The museum contains objects that once belonged to the former religious leader, giving the visitor a chance to witness his many quirks.

 

Why are Yemeni Citizens Traveling for Medical Care?

Many Yemeni patients choose to go abroad in search of medical care due to the deficitary health system in the country. The lack of investments in medical facilities has made Yemen one of the countries with the most outgoing patients in the area. Another problem confronting authorities is the late stage patients coming to the hospitals and the inability of the medical staffs to treat said patients.

 

Where are Yemen Citizens Traveling for Medical Care?

One of the main destinations for patients from the Arabic country are Egypt and Jordan. On average, 200,000 Yemeni patients leave the country and board planes destined for Cairo. The problem the patients wanting to leave face is getting the approval of the clinic in Yemen to go abroad. Generally, patients get approval to leave in the late stages of their diseases, when there are few to none chances of survival if they remain in Yemen.

Some of the most common treatments that patients from Yemen travel to Egypt and Jordan for are:

• Eye surgery
• Chronic disease

Yemeni patients seeking treatment abroad are advised to research all options before choosing a medical care provider; ask questions and get as much information as possible before planning their medical trip abroad. This will help them make an informed decision and choose the best care package in accordance to their specific needs. Also, they are advised to consult with their local doctors in order to obtain the clinics permission for going abroad.

For any questions regarding choosing the best treatment, do not hesitate to ask us!