Sana'a: Minister of Health and Environment Dr. Ali Shaiban stated on Thursday that the continued closure of Sana'a International Airport constitutes a crime against humanity and a blatant violation of humanitarian and international laws. He highlighted the dire consequences this shutdown has had on the availability of essential medical supplies.
According to Yemen News Agency, the airport shutdown, following its targeting by the Israeli enemy, has resulted in severe shortages of medicines, particularly those that require cold-chain transport. Thousands of patients have been left without essential drugs, including treatments for kidney transplant patients, blood derivatives, hormonal and immune medications, anesthetics, anticoagulants, and diagnostic solutions.
Dr. Shaiban renewed his call for urgent action to allow life-saving medicines and medical equipment to enter through Sana'a Airport. He urged the UN and international organizations to address what he described as a catastrophic tragedy that has already claimed thousands of lives. The blockade has led to widespread suffering, especially among patients with chronic diseases, with humanitarian consequences far exceeding the physical damage to health facilities.
The minister emphasized that the situation has led to rising deaths from epidemics, infectious diseases, and among children and mothers due to medicine shortages. Additionally, the suspension of flights has prevented thousands of patients from traveling abroad for treatment. Dr. Shaiban stressed the urgent need for the UN to resume flights into Sana'a to transport medicines that cannot be delivered through other routes, describing this as an essential humanitarian step to save lives, especially those of children.