UN Proclaims Nov. 24 as World Conjoined Twins Day
In a groundbreaking move, the United Nations has officially declared Nov. 24 as World Conjoined Twins Day, a momentous occasion spurred by a request from Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Press Agency revealed this historic decision, marking a new era of recognition for conjoined twins worldwide.
Global Collaboration for Awareness
Starting this year, countries such as Bahrain, Morocco, Qatar, and Yemen have joined forces with Saudi Arabia to observe this significant day annually. The collective goal is to shed light on the lives of conjoined twins and honor the groundbreaking advancements in the realm of conjoined-twin separation surgery.
Saudi Arabia Takes the Lead
During the UN General Assembly, Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative, Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, passionately advocated for the resolution’s adoption. He emphasized the importance of increasing awareness about conjoined twins and highlighted the Kingdom’s pivotal role in spearheading successful separation operations.
Impact of Saudi’s Conjoined Twins Program
Since its inception in 1990, Saudi Arabia’s Conjoined Twins Program has provided life-changing treatment for 139 sets of conjoined twins from various countries. The program, fully funded by the Saudi government, has become a beacon of hope for families facing such unique medical challenges.
Promoting Healthcare and Human Rights
Al-Wasil underscored the importance of international cooperation to ensure conjoined twins’ well-being and access to top-tier healthcare. He also expressed gratitude to UNICEF and the World Health Organization for their unwavering support in drafting and negotiating the resolution, emphasizing the crucial need to uphold the human rights of conjoined twins worldwide.