A team of more than 20 specialists at King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in Riyadh has successfully separated Somali conjoined twins Rahma and Ramla, marking another landmark achievement for Saudi Arabia’s renowned conjoined twins program. The surgery, carried out on Thursday under the leadership of Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, makes the girls the 68th pair of conjoined twins to be separated under the program since its inception.
A Delicate and Complex Procedure
The twin girls were born joined at critical parts of their bodies, making the separation exceptionally challenging from a medical standpoint. The operation proceeded through several stages, beginning with anesthesia, followed by the careful separation of shared organs and tissues, and concluding with the reconstruction of affected body parts for each child.
The surgical team included surgeons, nurses, and technical experts with extensive experience in conjoined twin separations. Medical officials confirmed that both girls were in stable condition before the operation began, though the procedure demanded extreme precision due to the complexity of the shared anatomy.
The successful outcome is a testament to the skill and dedication of the medical professionals involved, as well as the advanced healthcare infrastructure that Saudi Arabia has built over decades of investment in its medical sector.
A Humanitarian Legacy That Spans Decades
The operation was carried out under the humanitarian medical program run by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, which covers all medical and surgical expenses for such cases. The program has supported life-saving surgeries for children from countries around the world, including Somalia, and represents one of Saudi Arabia’s most celebrated humanitarian initiatives.
Since the program began, Saudi Arabia has become a global leader in conjoined twin separation surgery. The Kingdom’s medical teams have handled cases of extraordinary complexity, drawing patients and their families from across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Each successful surgery reinforces the country’s reputation as a destination for world-class specialized healthcare.
Gratitude from the Family
The parents of Rahma and Ramla expressed deep gratitude to the Saudi government and the medical team working to save their daughters’ lives. They asked the public to keep the girls in their prayers as they begin the recovery process following the separation.
The success of this latest operation during the holy month of Ramadan adds a deeply meaningful dimension to an already remarkable achievement. As the twins begin their journey toward independent lives, their story stands as a powerful example of how Saudi Arabia continues to use its resources and expertise to make a tangible difference in the lives of children and families around the world.
