Pakistani twins Sufyan and Yusuf arrive in Riyadh for separation surgery
In a new embodiment of the humanitarian role and medical leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the international stage, the Pakistani conjoined twins, Sufyan and Yusuf, arrived in the capital, Riyadh, accompanied by their parents, in implementation of the generous directives of the 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.
Upon their arrival via a fully equipped medical evacuation plane, the twins were immediately transferred to King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital of the Ministry of National Guard, a state-of-the-art medical facility with the latest equipment and highly qualified staff. The specialized medical team will immediately begin a series of thorough and comprehensive medical examinations to assess the children's condition, determine the complexity of their conjoinedness, and explore the possibility of successfully separating them surgically.
A distinguished record of medical and humanitarian achievements
This initiative falls under the umbrella of the Saudi Program for Separating Conjoined Twins, launched in 1990 and considered one of the largest and most successful programs of its kind globally. For over three decades, the program has overseen the study of more than 135 cases of conjoined twins from 25 different countries, successfully performing over 60 complex separation surgeries and achieving world-class success rates that have placed the Kingdom at the forefront of this delicate surgical specialty. The program is led by a fully integrated Saudi medical team headed by Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, Advisor to the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, who possesses extensive international experience in this field.
The importance of the initiative and its international impact
The importance of these operations extends beyond the medical field; they also represent a significant dimension of the Kingdom's humanitarian diplomacy. By hosting and treating complex cases from around the world without discrimination, Saudi Arabia reinforces its position as a leading force in global humanitarian work. These initiatives also highlight the advanced state of the Kingdom's healthcare sector, a cornerstone of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to build an effective and sustainable healthcare system. The success of such operations sends a message of hope to families worldwide and enhances the reputation of Saudi medical expertise both regionally and internationally.
For his part, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to the wise leadership for this noble humanitarian gesture, emphasizing that it embodies the Kingdom's lofty mission. The twins' parents also expressed their profound gratitude and thanks to the Kingdom, its leadership and people, for the swift response to their children's condition and for giving them hope for a new and independent life.
