Conjoined twins arrive in Riyadh for potentially life-changing surgery
The kingdom has built a global reputation in the specialty through the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, which has operated since 1990.
Two newborn Fijian conjoined girls, Jesibel and Desisia, touched down in Riyadh at the close of July, marking a potential turning point in their lives. Currently residing at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital, medical professionals are evaluating the possibility of a separation surgery. The Saudi Arabian nation has garnered international acclaim in this specialized field since commencing the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program in 1990.
This program has successfully separated 72 pairs of conjoined twins from 28 countries across five continents. Thus far this year, the Saudi surgeons have performed procedures on conjoined twins hailing from Morocco, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia itself, Somalia, and Tanzania. These surgeries are intricate and lengthy, typically involving a multitude of specialists and nursing personnel.
The Saudi government assumes responsibility for covering the medical expenses, as well as the financial aspects of the families' travel and lodging. The positive consequences of such surgeries can reverberate for many years; in fact, in February, twins from Poland, Olga and Daria, made a return visit to Riyadh, 21 years after their successful separation surgery there.
Written by urgent.news from Semafor's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
