Two Nigerian conjoined twins, Hassana and Husaina, who recently underwent a successful separation surgery in Saudi Arabia, have returned home to a warm reception at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
The life-saving operation was performed at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, under 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 Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
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 multidisciplinary team of 38 consultants and specialists, including experts in paediatric surgery, neurosurgery, orthopaedics, urology, anaesthesia and plastic surgery, embarked on the delicate procedure.
The surgery, conducted in nine stages, lasted approximately 14 hours. Each stage required precise coordination to separate the twins. They reconstruct their individual systems safely and securely. The successful outcome has been hailed as one of the most challenging yet rewarding achievements of the Saudi programme for separating Siamese twins.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State personally welcomed Hassana and Husaina, along with their parents, at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
He expressed deep gratitude to the Saudi leadership for sponsoring the surgery and announced that the Kano State Government would assume full responsibility for the girls’ welfare and education.
“This is a victory for humanity, a reminder that compassion and international cooperation can save lives,” Yusuf said.
The Consul 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 the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, especially Nigeria, with which it shares historic ties.
The separation of Hassana and Husaina marks the 65th successful operation under the Saudi Siamese Twins Separation Programme, which has provided care for 150 sets of conjoined twins from 25 countries over the past 35 years. The programme has become one of the most prominent medical humanitarian initiatives globally, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s expertise in paediatric surgery and its dedication to supporting vulnerable families.
The story of Hassana and Husaina has drawn international attention, symbolising the impact of cross-border medical collaboration and reinforcing the importance of global solidarity in addressing rare and life-threatening health challenges.