Moroccan conjoined twins Saja and Duha arrive in Saudi Arabia for separation surgery
A new Saudi humanitarian initiative
In a new humanitarian gesture embodying the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's leading role in humanitarian work, the Moroccan conjoined twins, Saja and Duha, arrived at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday evening, accompanied by their parents. This swift response came in implementation of the generous directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Prime Minister, to transfer the twins from the Kingdom of Morocco, assess their condition, and consider the possibility of performing surgery to separate them.
Upon their arrival, the twins were transported by a fully equipped ambulance to King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital of the Ministry of National Guard, where a specialized multidisciplinary medical team will begin conducting thorough clinical and laboratory examinations to determine the nature of the conjoined twins and assess the health condition of each child individually. Based on the results of these examinations, the medical team will decide on the feasibility of performing the separation surgery and the necessary surgical plans to ensure their safety.
The Saudi Program for Separating Conjoined Twins: A History of Global Leadership
This case marks another success in the long history of the Saudi Program for Separating Conjoined Twins, which was launched in 1990. For over three decades, the program has become a landmark in global medicine, having evaluated more than 130 cases from 23 countries and successfully performed over 55 complex separation surgeries, giving hope and a normal life to dozens of children and their families. The program is led by a highly qualified Saudi medical and surgical team headed by His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, who is considered one of the world's leading surgeons in this field.
Significance and impact: Beyond a mere surgical procedure
The importance of these initiatives extends beyond the medical field, encompassing significant humanitarian and diplomatic dimensions. Domestically, these operations reinforce the Kingdom's position as a leading medical center possessing the expertise and technology necessary to perform the most complex surgeries, reflecting the scale of investment in the health sector within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030. Regionally and internationally, they solidify the Kingdom's image as a pioneer in global humanitarian work, setting an example of humanitarian diplomacy that transcends borders and nationalities, thus strengthening its relations with sisterly and friendly nations such as the Kingdom of Morocco. The twins' family expressed their profound gratitude to the Kingdom's leadership and people for this warm welcome and generous response, which has restored their hope for a brighter future for their daughters.
