The specialized medical and surgical team of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme (SCTP) achieved a new medical milestone today with the successful separation of Filipino conjoined twins Olivia and Gianna. The operation was performed at King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital (KASCH) at King Abdulaziz Medical City of the Ministry of National Guard in Riyadh.
Advisor to the Royal Court and Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) and head of the surgical team for the SCTP Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah said: “Thanks to Allah Almighty and the efforts of my colleagues on the medical and surgical team, the separation of the Filipino twins Olivia and Gianna was successfully completed six hours after the operation began.”
He added that the procedure was carried out with the participation of 22 consultants, specialists, and nursing and technical staff members to ensure the highest levels of precision and safety throughout all stages of the operation.
Dr. Al Rabeeah noted that the twins were joined at the chest and abdomen and shared a liver and possibly part of the intestines, pointing out that one of the twins also suffered from congenital heart defects that posed a significant health risk.
He said that this operation marks the fourth separation of conjoined twins from the Philippines and the 72nd procedure performed under SCTP, which has a 35-year history spanning 28 countries across five continents and has evaluated 158 cases from around the world.
Dr. Al Rabeeah noted that this medical achievement reflects the humanitarian commitment of the Kingdom’s leadership and its dedication to providing assistance to people wherever they may be. He added that it also demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s medical excellence, in line with the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030 to develop the Kingdom’s healthcare sector and enhance its quality and efficiency.
On behalf of himself and all members of the medical and surgical team, Dr. Al Rabeeah expressed his gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their continued support and patronage of SCTP, which has enabled the Saudi medical team to provide the highest standards of specialized healthcare, improve the quality of life of beneficiary children and their families, and enhance the Kingdom’s position in humanitarian and medical work.
The twins’ family expressed their gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH the Crown Prince for the high-quality medical care provided to the twins and praised the extensive efforts made by the medical team to ensure the success of the operation.
Source: Riyadh Daily