Riyadh Welcomes Conjoined Twins for Possible Separation Surgery
In a remarkable display of humanitarian aid and medical expertise, Burkinabe conjoined twins Khadijah and Hawaa have arrived in Riyadh for a potential separation surgery at King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital.
Escorted by their mother, the twins were flown in from Burkina Faso to Saudi Arabia through the defense ministry’s medevac, following the instructions of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, the head of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, expressed his gratitude to the Saudi leadership for showcasing the Kingdom’s exceptional medical capabilities and compassionate approach towards disadvantaged communities worldwide.
The twins’ mother conveyed her appreciation to the Saudi government and people for the warm reception and generosity, placing her trust in the skilled Saudi medical team.
Saudi Arabia stands at the forefront of pioneering surgical procedures in modern medicine. Since its inception in 1990, the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program has treated approximately 139 cases of conjoined twins from various countries globally. Al-Rabeeah, leading the medical team, has performed 61 operations on conjoined twins born into impoverished families from 26 different nations.
Playing a vital role in the program is King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital. Boasting cutting-edge medical facilities and advanced technology, the hospital is staffed by a highly proficient medical team specializing in intricate pediatric care.
All operations conducted under the program are fully funded by the Saudi government.
Statistics from medical research indicate that around 60 percent of conjoined twins are stillborn, with approximately 40 percent of those who survive birth succumbing within a few days. Furthermore, about 70 percent of conjoined twins are female.