Moroccan conjoined twins separated successfully

RIYADH — The medical and surgical team of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program successfully separated 13-month-old Moroccan conjoined twins Saja and Duha on Thursday. The surgical separation was held at King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in King Abdulaziz Medical City under the Ministry of National Guard in Riyadh. This was in line with the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. Advisor at the Royal Court, Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), and head of the medical and surgical team Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah announced that the operation was successfully completed in six hours across six distinct stages. He said that 23 consultants, specialists, nurses, and technicians from anesthesiology, pediatric surgery, plastic surgery, and other supporting specialties took part, ensuring the highest levels of precision and safety at every stage. He noted that the twins were conjoined at the lower chest and abdomen, sharing the pericardium, liver, and intestines. Al Rabeeah said this was the fourth separation of Moroccan conjoined twins and the 73rd operation under the program. Over more than 35 years, the program has evaluated 159 cases from 28 countries, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s leading role in humanitarian and medical work.He said the program’s achievements were made possible by the direct support of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The twins’ family thanked the King and the Crown Prince for the care given to the twins and praised the medical team’s efforts. The twins arrived in the Kingdom on April 24, 2026. The medical team conducted extensive and detailed examinations and held several meetings, determining that the twins were conjoined at the chest and abdomen and shared the membranes surrounding the heart, liver, and intestines.