Saudi Medical Team Begins Complex Separation Surgery for Burkinabe Conjoined Twins in Riyadh
Riyadh, February 27, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – A Saudi medical team has commenced the complex separation surgery of Burkinabe conjoined twins Hawa and Khadija at King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital in Riyadh. The 17-month-old twins, who are joined at the lower chest and abdomen, share the pericardium, liver, and intestines, making this a highly delicate and intricate procedure.
The surgery is being performed under the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, as part of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, a global humanitarian initiative.
A Highly Skilled Medical Team for a Critical Surgery
The operation is being led by Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), who has been at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s world-renowned conjoined twins program.
In a statement today, Dr. Al Rabeeah outlined the five-stage operation, which is expected to last eight hours and involves a team of 26 consultants, specialists, and support staff across multiple medical disciplines, including:
Anesthesia
Pediatric surgery
Plastic surgery
According to Dr. Al Rabeeah, the success rate of the procedure exceeds 80%, demonstrating the expertise and advanced capabilities of Saudi Arabia’s medical sector in handling such rare and complex cases.
Saudi Arabia's Leading Role in Global Pediatric Surgery
This operation marks the 62nd separation surgery performed under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, which has provided medical care to 146 conjoined twins from 27 countries over the past 35 years. The program’s excellence and humanitarian impact have been internationally recognized, with the United Nations designating November 24 as World Conjoined Twins Day in honor of Saudi Arabia’s contributions.
Dr. Al Rabeeah expressed his deep gratitude to the Saudi leadership for its continued support in advancing global medical humanitarian efforts. He also wished Hawa and Khadija a smooth recovery and a safe return to Burkina Faso following the procedure.
Saudi Arabia continues to set global benchmarks in specialized medical care, reaffirming its commitment to humanitarian initiatives that save lives and provide hope for families worldwide.