Dr Ahmed Hailan
Consultant interventional/structural cardiologist
Morriston Cardiac centre
Swansea bay university Health board
UK
MD FRCP FESC FACC
Impression on the TAVI Service in Yemen
During my recent visit to Yemen, I had the distinct honor of attending a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) procedure at the Military Hospital. The case was meticulously discussed, thoroughly planned, and executed with remarkable precision. The level of collaboration within the multidisciplinary team was exemplary, reflecting high professional standards and strong clinical expertise.
Subsequently, I had the privilege of participating in what marked the first TAVI case performed at Al-Mutawakil Hospital in Sana’a. The procedure was conducted to an outstanding standard under the proctorship of Dr. Taha Almimony, alongside Dr. Ali Othman, the local interventional cardiologist. Notably, within just one week, a second successful case was completed in the same catheterization laboratory—an impressive achievement that demonstrates both confidence and capability.
The role of Dubai Diagnostic, led by Mr. Essam as the distributor for Meril Life Sciences, has been pivotal. Their effective management, organization, and coordination between stakeholders have significantly contributed to the success and sustainability of the program. Such structured logistical and technical support is essential for the advancement of complex structural heart interventions.
What is particularly remarkable is that this TAVI program operates within a privately funded system, supported by patients themselves, while facing substantial challenges including war-related constraints and sanctions. Despite these considerable obstacles, the team has successfully performed over 70 TAVI cases—an accomplishment that reflects dedication, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
It is truly inspiring to witness a structural heart program in Yemen delivering TAVI services at an international standard under such demanding circumstances. This achievement is a testament to hard work, visionary leadership, and the determination to ensure that patients receive life-saving therapies regardless of external challenges.
I strongly encourage more interventional cardiologists to engage with and support this program, as expanding expertise and collaboration will undoubtedly allow more patients to benefit from advanced structural heart interventions.
Dr Abdulwali Abohasan
Consultant Interventional Cardiologist
MD, FACC, FSCAI, FESC, FEPCI
From Proof of Concept to National Strategy: Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Yemen as a Gateway to Advanced Structural Heart Interventions in Low-Resource Settings
Background and Context
Severe aortic stenosis remains a lethal yet treatable condition. Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are the only interventions proven to improve survival. Over the last two decades, TAVI has transitioned from an experimental therapy to a routine, guideline-endorsed intervention performed daily in many healthcare systems worldwide .
In Yemen, prolonged conflict, economic instability, and limited access to advanced cardiac surgery have historically excluded large segments of the population from such life-saving therapies. Despite these challenges, a locally driven TAVI program was initiated three years ago—without reliance on external missions—and has since compleed 65 cases with success rates comparable to international benchmarks.
This achievement represents not an endpoint, but a strategic inflection point.
What This Experience Has Proven
The Yemeni TAVI program has demonstrated, in real terms, that
complex structural heart interventions are feasible in low-resource environments when built on proper patient selection, minimalistic strategies, and disciplined complication avoidance.
focused Heart Team model, even within constrained infrastructure, can safely deliver outcomes aligned with global standards.
Cost barriers, while significant, are not absolute, particularly with emerging valve platforms and structured funding pathways.
Local expertise can be developed and retained, reducing dependence on outbound referrals and humanitarian exceptions. These findings directly challenge the assumption that advanced transcatheter therapies are incompatible with fragile health systems.
Why Decision Makers Must Act Now
Structural heart disease care is evolving rapidly. TAVI has already expanded from inoperable patients to intermediate- and low-risk populations globally. Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair TEER and percutenous MV replacement for mitral regurgitation is following the same trajectory.
Failing to act at this stage will result in widening technology and outcome gaps between Yemen and neighboring regions, continued avoidable mortality and disability from treatable valvular disease and escalating long-term healthcare costs due to late presentations and heart failure burden. Conversely, timely policy engagement allows Yemen to leapfrog, not lag behind.
What Yemen Actually Needs
Strategic Recognition
Formal acknowledgment of TAVI and future structural heart intervention as essential tertiary cardiovascular services, not luxury procedures.
Concentration of Excellence
Rather than dispersing limited resources, policy should support: a limited number of high-volume centers, national referral pathway and mandatory outcome reporting and registries from program inception
Sustainable Financing Models
This includes: institutional and charitable co-funding, negotiated device pricing and selective adoption of cost-effective valve technologies already proven in comparable economies
Human Capital Investment
Support for advanced imaging specialists, structural intervention training, cardiac anesthesia and peri-procedural care teams.
This investment yields returns far beyond a single procedure type.
Expansion to Mitral Interventions
Yemen’s historical success with mitral balloon valvuloplasty positions it uniquely to adopt TEER technologies logically and safely, building on existing skill sets rather than starting from zero.
The Broader Vision
The Yemeni TAVI experience should be viewed as a template, not an exception—illustrating how innovation, discipline, and local ownership can overcome systemic limitations.
In a rapidly evolving cardiovascular world, the true risk is not adopting advanced therapies—but delaying their structured integration until the gap bec
Dr. A. Sharaf. MD
Cardiac consultant. Intervention.
Dear sirs,
In behalf of the yenmeni delegates to CIT 2024 held by generous invitation and sponser by MERIL life science international, I would like to thank the executive committee and admistration of MERIL for their kind hospitality, care and valuable scientific medical presentions ,cultural activities and training given to us .We will continue our relations in future for further co-operation , establishment solid introduction, programme’s and works with their innovative cardiac products in Yemen.
Best regards.