Dare Babalola
Two years after a medical trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kano conjoined twins, Hassana and Husaina Isa, have returned to Nigeria.
They were received by Governor Abba Yusuf on Friday after undergoing a successful separation surgery in Saudi Arabia.
The twins, who arrived at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport with their family, were welcomed to a warm reception by government officials, community members, and representatives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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.
A team of 38 specialists, including pediatric surgeons, neurosurgeons, and plastic surgeons started operating on the twins since October 2023 after they left Nigeria for Saudi Arabia.
Speaking to journalists, press attaché at the Royal embassy, Abuja, Mohammad Alsahabi said, “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.”
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 said, “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.”
He said the separation of Hassana and Husaina marks the 65th successful operation under the Saudi Siamese Twins Separation Program, which has provided care for 150 sets of conjoined twins from 25 countries over the past 35 years.
On his part, Governor Yusuf expressed gratitude to the Saudi authorities for sponsoring the surgery and pledged that the state government would take responsibility for the girls’ welfare, including their education up to the university level.
