Conjoined Twins From Burkina Faso Arrive In Riyadh For Separation Surgery

Conjoined twins Khadijah and Hawaa from Burkina Faso have arrived in Riyadh for a potential separation surgery at King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital!

They were accompanied by their mother and airlifted to Saudi Arabia by the defense ministry’s medevac, following the directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The twins’ mother expressed her gratitude towards the government and the hospital

Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, head of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, expressed gratitude to the Saudi leadership for their support, highlighting the Kingdom’s advanced medical capabilities and its humanitarian commitment to helping those in need worldwide. The twins’ mother also expressed her heartfelt thanks to the Saudi government and people for their warm welcome and hospitality, stating her confidence in the skilled Saudi medical team.

The Conjoined Twins program in Saudi is renowned for its successful procedures

Saudi Arabia is renowned for its expertise in complex surgical procedures, particularly through its Conjoined Twins Program. Launched in 1990, this program has treated around 139 cases of conjoined twins from various countries. Dr. Al-Rabeeah, leading the medical team, has performed 61 separation surgeries on twins from 26 different nations, primarily from underprivileged backgrounds.

The hospital is very advanced in medical technology and highly skilled staff

King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital is pivotal to this program, featuring state-of-the-art medical facilities and advanced technology. The hospital is staffed by a highly skilled team specializing in complex pediatric care, ensuring the best possible outcomes for these challenging cases. Remarkably, all operations under the program are fully funded by the Saudi government.

According to medical studies, about 60 percent of conjoined twins are stillborn, and around 40 percent of those who survive birth die within a few days. Interestingly, approximately 70 percent of conjoined twins are girls.