A Saudi medical team has completed the separation surgery of Nigerian conjoined twins, Hassana and Husaina, at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in Riyadh.
The surgery, carried out followed directives from King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.
Hassana and Husaina, from Kano state, were flown to Saudi Arabia for the procedure in October 2023.
They were joined at the lower abdomen, pelvis, lower spine, and lower spinal nerves.
Mohammed Alsahabi, spokesperson of the Saudi embassy in Abuja, in as statement announced the successful surgery, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to providing medical care and assistance to those in need.
The statement reads, “The procedure, which began on Thursday morning, marked the culmination of meticulous planning and execution by a dedicated team of medical professionals.
“The twins, who arrived in Riyadh on October 31, 2023, underwent comprehensive examinations that revealed shared areas in the lower abdomen, pelvis, lower spine, and lower spinal nerves.
“The surgical intervention unfolded in nine planned stages, lasting approximately 14 hours.
“A team comprising 38 consultants, specialists, technicians, and nursing staff specializing in anesthesia, pediatric surgery, urology, orthopedics, plastic surgery, and pediatric neurosurgery, collaborated seamlessly to ensure the success of this complex operation.
“This surgical milestone marked the 60th operation undertaken by the Saudi program for separating Siamese twins, a program that has provided care for 135 conjoined twins from 25 countries over the past 34 years.”
Abdullah Al Rabeeah, advisor at the royal court and supervisor general of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), expressed a 70 percent confidence in the success rate before the procedure began.
Al Rabeeah, who also led the medical team, extended gratitude to the Saudi leadership for their support of the program.
“The successful separation of Hassana and Husaina exemplifies the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing medical science and extending compassionate healthcare on a global scale,” he added.
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