A team of medical professionals from Saudi Arabia has achieved a significant milestone by successfully completing the separation surgery of Nigerian conjoined twins, Hassana and Husaina, at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in Riyadh.
The directive for this groundbreaking surgery came directly from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
The complex procedure, which commenced on Thursday morning, was conducted by a team of 38 medical experts, including consultants, specialists, technicians, and nursing staff. Lasting approximately 14 hours, the surgery unfolded in nine meticulously planned stages, addressing shared areas in the lower abdomen, pelvis, lower spine, and lower spinal nerves of the twins.
Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Advisor at the Royal Court, Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), and head of the medical team, expressed confidence in the success of the procedure, citing a 70% success rate. He emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating, “This is a momentous occasion that showcases the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing medical science and providing compassionate healthcare globally.”
The successful separation of Hassana and Husaina marks the 60th operation undertaken by the Saudi program for separating conjoined twins, which has provided care for 135 conjoined twins from 25 countries over the past 34 years. Al Rabeeah extended heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the Saudi leadership for their unwavering support of the program, highlighting the Kingdom’s dedication to humanitarian causes and its leadership role in global healthcare.
Commenting on the development, Mohammed Alsahabi, Press Attaché at the Saudi embassy in Abuja, emphasized the close collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria in the field of healthcare. He expressed pride in the role played by Saudi Arabia in improving the lives of the twins and their family, underscoring the significance of this remarkable feat in strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.
