Despite the last kidnapping, Italian delegation head: Sana’a is great [Archives:2006/919/Local News]

SANA'A, Feb. 8 ) Italian delegation head Professor Paolo Leponelli called for establishing medical cooperation between the Yemeni and Italian governments. In an interview to be published Monday, he affirmed that Yemen's medical state needs help and support.

Signing a cooperative medical protocol between Al-Jumhori Hospital in Sana'a and municipal hospitals in Rome, Leponelli hoped such cooperation will open the door to official cooperation between Yemen and Italy. He also referred to the importance of strengthening Yemeni-Italian relations, not just in the medical field but also in tourism.

He pointed to the kidnapping incident of five Italians in Yemen two months ago. “When the five arrived at Rome airport, they said they will return to Yemen and that was a real motivation for us to come,” he said. “Such a generous host cannot be described. We are so happy, so we advise others to visit Sana'a, a city as beautiful as Rome and Berlin,” he enthused.

Dr. Hitham Al-Murdhi, Yemeni medical coordinator with Italy, referred to the negative affects of such kidnapping incidents, which create a bad reputation for Yemen, not just on tourism but also on potential medical cooperation between Yemen and other nations. He mentioned that a plastic surgery specialist did not come to Yemen due to such reputation.

The Jan. 1 kidnapping of five Italians was the latest in a series of foreigner kidnappings by armed tribesmen. The Italians were freed unharmed after security forces cornered their captors in the mountains of north Yemen.

The Italian delegation of four professors and four doctors of varying specialties arrived in Sana'a Saturday, Feb. 4 and will leave Friday, Feb. 10. During the visit, they performed many surgeries and medical tests at Al-Jumhori Hospital.
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