March 01, (THEWILL), A Saudi medical and surgical team has completed the separation surgery of Nigerian conjoined twins, Hassana and Hussain, at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh.
A statement by Mohammed Alsahabi, Press Attache at the Saudi embassy, Abuja, said the procedure, which began on Thursday morning, “marked the culmination of meticulous planning and execution by a dedicated team of medical professionals.”
“In a landmark medical achievement, a Saudi medical and surgical team, following the directives of 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, has completed the separation surgery of Nigerian conjoined twins, Hassana and Hussain, at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh”, Alsahabi said.
He said 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.
He said the surgical intervention unfolded in nine planned stages, lasting approximately 14 hours, a team comprising 38 consultants, specialists, technicians, and nursing staff specialising in anaesthesia, pediatric surgery, urology, orthopaedics, 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.
“Prior to the commencement of the procedure, 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, noting a 70% success rate.
“Dr Al Rabeeah extended heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the Saudi leadership for its unwavering support of the program”, the Press Attache said.
He added that the successful separation of Hassana and Husaina exemplified the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing medical science and extending compassionate healthcare on a global scale.
About the Author
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
