Two years after a medical sojourn in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kano conjoined twins, Hassana and Husaina Isa, have returned to Nigeria.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had bid farewell to the two identical female twins born conjoined at the lower abdomen on 30th October, 2023, en route to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
Hassana and Husaina underwent a life-saving operation at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, and survived the 14-hour surgical but successful procedure.
The multi-billion-dollar intervention, which attracted both human and material resources, was carried out under the funding of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and the Saudi Royal Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.
Arriving two years later to a warm welcome from Governor Yusuf at the same airport on Friday, Hassaina and Hussana returned home healthy, each as separate individuals.
Press attaché at the Royal embassy, Abuja, Mohammad Alsahabi, told journalists that Hassana and Husaina had travelled to Riyadh in October 2023, where they underwent months of comprehensive medical examinations.
“Doctors discovered that the twins were joined at the lower abdomen, pelvis, and spine, sharing vital structures that made the case particularly complex.
“After careful planning, a multi-disciplinary team of 38 consultants and specialists, including experts in pediatric surgery, neurosurgery, orthopaedics, urology, anaesthesia, and plastic surgery, embarked on the delicate procedure.
“The surgery, which unfolded in nine stages, lasted approximately 14 hours. Each stage required precise coordination to safely separate the twins and reconstruct their individual systems,”.Alsahabi noted.
The information from the diplomat revealed that the successful outcome was celebrated as one of the most challenging yet rewarding achievements of the Saudi programme for separating Siamese twins.
He stated that the separation of Hassana and Husaina marks the 65th successful operation under the Saudi Siamese Twins Separation Programme, which has cared for 150 sets of conjoined twins from 25 countries over the past 35 years.
“The program has become one of the most prominent medical humanitarian initiatives globally, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s expertise in pediatric surgery and its dedication to supporting vulnerable families”.
The Consular General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Kano, Khalil Ahmed Al-Admawi, who was present at the airport to welcome the family, described the success of the surgery as a demonstration of the Kingdom’s commitment to humanitarian service.
He added that Saudi Arabia would continue to extend medical assistance and goodwill to countries in need through King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, especially Nigeria, with which it shares historic ties.
Upon arrival, the father of the twins, Hassan Isa, applauded the humanitarian gesture of King Salman during the clinical services and welfare provided to the family over the last two years spent in the Kingdom.
Isa, who was full of praise and gratitude, revealed that the two-year stay in Saudi Arabia afforded him and his wife a profound opportunity and privilege to conduct the annual pilgrimage.
Governor Yusuf, physically overwhelmed with joy, commended the humanitarian intervention of King Salman and the Crown Prince. The governor pledged to shoulder full responsibility for the education and medical services of the surviving twins.
