Details of the successful separation of Somali twins Rahma and Ramla in Riyadh
In accordance with the 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, Crown Prince and Prime Minister - may God protect them - His Excellency the Advisor at the Royal Court, General Supervisor of the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid and Head of the Medical and Surgical Team, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, announced the success of the separation phase of the Somali twins “Rahma and Ramla”, at King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital in King Abdulaziz Medical City of the Ministry of National Guard in Riyadh.
Dr. Al-Rabeeah confirmed that the delicate separation process was completed minutes ago, and that the twins' condition is stable, thanks be to God. He pointed out that three stages remain to complete the operation definitively, and these remaining stages are expected to take approximately three additional hours to ensure the wounds are closed and the organs are successfully repaired.
Details of the Somali twins' health condition
The head of the medical team explained that the twins, Rahma and Ramla, are 13 months old and arrived in the Kingdom on May 6, 2025. Their case is complex, as they share a lower abdomen and pelvis, and each has two fully formed lower limbs. Detailed medical examinations revealed that they share a colon and rectum, with overlapping urinary and reproductive systems, and a shared pelvic bone.
Regarding vital organ functions, Dr. Al-Rabeeah explained that the twin, Ramla, suffers from complete atrophy of both kidneys and total kidney failure, necessitating immediate dialysis after the separation surgery. Her sister, Rahma, suffers from atrophy of her left kidney, while her right kidney functions adequately despite the presence of cysts. This requires close and intensive medical monitoring post-surgery to ensure the stability of vital functions.
The Saudi Program for Conjoined Twins: A Global Leader
is separation of Somali twins the latest in a long line of medical achievements in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in this delicate field. The Saudi Program for Separating Conjoined Twins boasts a distinguished history dating back to 1990, and over the course of more than three decades, it has attained a prominent global standing. The program has reviewed hundreds of cases from dozens of countries worldwide and performed scores of successful surgeries, marking unprecedented medical achievements and establishing the Kingdom as a leading medical destination for complex humanitarian cases of this kind.
Human dimensions that transcend geographical boundaries
The significance of this event extends beyond the medical and surgical aspects; the procedure reflects the profound humanitarian message that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia carries to the world. Receiving twins from various countries, including our sister nation of Somalia, underscores the Kingdom's leading role in humanitarian work, spearheaded by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center. These initiatives contribute to strengthening fraternal ties between peoples and offer hope to families facing difficult health conditions, reaffirming that Saudi Arabia's benevolent hand reaches out to all without discrimination, bringing smiles and saving lives according to the highest international medical standards.
