Two Nigerian conjoined twins, Hassana and Husaina, who underwent a life-changing surgery in Saudi Arabia, have returned home to a warm reception at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
The children were separated at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz Medical City, under the directive of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Their case was considered highly complex as the girls were joined at the lower abdomen, pelvis, and spine, sharing vital organs.
The twins had been flown to Saudi Arabia in October 2023 for evaluation after Nigerian doctors confirmed the extent of their condition. Following months of medical examinations, a 38-member team of pediatric surgeons, neurosurgeons, orthopedic specialists, anesthetists, urologists, and plastic surgeons carried out the delicate procedure.
The operation, which lasted 14 hours and was completed in nine carefully coordinated stages, was described by the medical team as one of the most challenging but successful cases handled under Saudi Arabia’s Siamese Twins Separation Program.
At the airport in Kano on Friday, the Consul General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Khalil Ahmed Al Admawi, said the successful operation reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to humanitarian service. He explained that through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, Saudi Arabia will continue to support countries in need, including Nigeria, with which it shares long-standing relations.
The surgery was the 65th success recorded under the Saudi program, which has managed 150 cases of conjoined twins from 25 countries over the past 35 years. It is widely regarded as one of the most significant humanitarian medical initiatives in the world, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s expertise in pediatric surgery and its global outreach.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, who led the reception, expressed joy at the safe return of Hassana and Husaina. He thanked the Saudi authorities for what he described as a remarkable humanitarian gesture that saved the lives of the children.
The governor pledged that the state government would assume full responsibility for the twins’ welfare, covering healthcare, education, feeding, and other basic needs to ensure they grow up in a supportive environment. He also urged residents to continue praying for the children’s recovery and future.
The parents of the twins, Malam Hassan Isah and his wife, Suwaiba, expressed deep gratitude to the governor for his care and support since the birth of their children up to the completion of the surgery.
