The Specialized Hospital for Ophthalmology in Marib Governorate, fully funded by Saudi Arabia through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), has become a vital lifeline for thousands of Yemenis seeking to restore or protect their vision. Since opening in late 2019, the hospital has delivered more than 516,000 diverse medical services free of charge, establishing itself as a leading humanitarian initiative in Yemen's healthcare sector.
Comprehensive Free Eye Care
The hospital's treatment journey encompasses everything from initial examination and diagnosis to the provision of medication, prescription glasses, or surgical intervention—all at no cost to the patient. According to official statistics from the hospital's opening through January, the clinics received approximately 257,673 patients. A total of 20,491 surgeries were performed, 150,979 pairs of prescription eyeglasses were dispensed, and 342,301 prescriptions were provided free of charge. Additionally, tens of thousands of laboratory tests, medical imaging services, and diagnostic procedures were offered.
Patient Stories and Impact
Behind these numbers lie countless personal stories of patients who traveled hundreds of kilometers to reach the hospital. Some had lost the ability to work due to impaired vision, while others faced the threat of complete blindness before finding free treatment. Ahmed Al-Omari, the hospital's director, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the project represents one of the most significant humanitarian interventions carried out by KSrelief in Yemen's healthcare sector. He emphasized that all services are provided free of charge, from the moment a patient enters the hospital until the completion of their treatment.
Growing Demand and Specialized Services
Al-Omari noted that the hospital has become a destination for patients from most Yemeni governorates amid difficult economic conditions and declining ability among many families to cover treatment costs. The growing trust in the services is reflected in the continued year-on-year increase in the number of beneficiaries. The hospital specializes in ophthalmology and eye surgery. A patient's journey starts at the optometry clinics, where vision is assessed and refractive errors are measured, before moving to specialists for detailed examinations using advanced equipment.
Surgical Capabilities and Technology
The hospital performs dozens of surgeries daily, notably cataract removal and intraocular lens implantation using phacoemulsification technology, in addition to procedures for glaucoma, strabismus, and tear duct dilation, as well as cosmetic and other minor surgical interventions. Al-Omari highlighted that the hospital features a state-of-the-art medical imaging and diagnostics department equipped with advanced devices, including an optical coherence tomography device—the only one of its kind in the governorate—used to examine and image the retina and diagnose retinal diseases with high precision.
Challenges and Continued Mission
While the hospital receives 180 patients daily across three specialized clinics, it faces challenges such as growing demand from patients arriving from across Yemen and occasional delays in the delivery of some medical supplies and eyeglass lenses due to regional supply chain disruptions. Despite these obstacles, Al-Omari said the hospital has continued to fulfill its humanitarian mission, describing it as Yemen's only hospital specialized in providing ophthalmology and eye surgery free of charge. He added that Saudi support through KSrelief has alleviated the suffering of hundreds of thousands of Yemenis and provided many with a new chance at life, work, and education.
Gratitude and Hope
Al-Omari expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia and KSrelief, highlighting that their support to Yemenis “goes beyond numbers and statistics, restoring hope and sight to thousands of families who previously had no access to treatment.”
