Yemen's Taiz Hospital Faces Imminent Collapse Amidst Houthi Siege

In the dialysis centre of the Republican Hospital in Taiz, Yemen, a critical situation is unfolding. Omar Mukhtar Hammoud, a 16-year-old suffering from kidney failure, relies on a dialysis machine to filter his blood. He is one of 270 patients dependent on this service in the government-held city. However, with essential medical supplies and fuel dwindling due to a renewed Houthi siege, doctors fear they may soon be unable to provide life-saving treatment.

Dr. Essam Mahyoub Dahan, the centre's director, has warned of a potential complete shutdown within days. "Because of the siege and the shortage of diesel and medical solutions, we have recently been forced to reduce dialysis sessions from four hours to just two and a half," Dahan told Al Jazeera. "We know this is not adequate, but we have no choice if we are to keep the centre operating for as long as possible before it shuts down completely." The centre's specialized dialysis solutions are also running critically low, with the next delivery from the Yemeni Ministry of Health delayed by the Houthi siege that began in early October.

The impact of the siege extends across Taiz governorate, where battles between Yemeni government forces and Houthi fighters are ongoing. The governorate's health office stated on October 12 that the obstruction of essential supplies could endanger the lives of 1,110 patients with kidney failure who rely on dialysis services across the governorate's hospitals. International humanitarian and health organizations, including Amnesty International, have echoed these concerns, calling for the immediate reopening of vital roads into and around Taiz.

Taiz's hospitals heavily depend on diesel-powered generators due to the destruction of much of the city's electricity infrastructure. The Houthi siege has severely disrupted the supply of diesel, impacting the operation of generators and medical equipment. Dr. Shaheed al-Ameri, deputy director-general for technical affairs at the Republican Hospital, highlighted the devastating effect of diesel shortages, noting that the hospital is now forced to purchase fuel on the black market at significantly inflated prices.

The hospital has already suspended operations in some departments, and Dr. al-Ameri fears a