This morning, at King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital in King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, one of the most complex and delicate surgical operations was launched: the separation of the Tanzanian conjoined twins, “Nancy and Nice,” in implementation of the generous directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and his Crown Prince, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.
The medical and surgical team for this complex operation is headed by Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, Advisor to the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center. The team includes 35 leading consultants and specialists in anesthesia, pediatric surgery, plastic surgery, and urology, in addition to technical and nursing staff. The operation is expected to last approximately 13 continuous hours and will be performed in nine precise stages. The twins are conjoined at the lower chest, abdomen, and pelvis, and share a single liver, intestinal wall, and urinary tract.
A record full of humanitarian achievements
This operation adds another achievement to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's distinguished record in humanitarian and medical work, specifically through the "Saudi Program for Separating Conjoined Twins." This pioneering program, launched in 1990, has successfully transformed the lives of dozens of children and their families worldwide over the past three decades. The Tanzanian twins' case marks the 60th such case studied and separated by the program, which has received cases from more than 25 countries across three continents, reflecting the Kingdom's global leadership in this rare and complex medical specialty.
Importance that transcends the boundaries of medicine
The importance of these operations extends beyond the medical field, representing a significant pillar of the Kingdom's soft power on the international stage. They embody Saudi Arabia's humanitarian role and showcase the high level of advancement and efficiency achieved by its medical personnel and healthcare institutions. Internationally, such initiatives strengthen bilateral relations between the Kingdom and the countries of origin of the children, as in this case with the United Republic of Tanzania, and present the world with a shining example of humanitarian solidarity and cooperation that transcends borders, nationalities, and religions. The world, along with the girls' parents, eagerly awaits the success of the operation, hoping it will mark the beginning of a new chapter of hope in the Kingdom, granting Nancy and Nais the opportunity to live normal and independent lives.
