Yemeni conjoined twins to be separated in Saudi Arabia

Saudi King Salman issued an order for conjoined twins from Yemen to be moved to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh to be separated.

Their move to the hospital, run by the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, was announced yesterday.

Doctors at the hospital have previously separated conjoined twins.

The announcement was made by Dr Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Royal Court adviser and supervisor general of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre. He also leads the surgical team for separating twins.

The twins, Yousuf and Yassin, were born joined at the head, a condition known as craniopagus, and are expected to arrive in Riyadh within the next few days accompanied by their parents.

Craniopagus twins are extremely rare and the condition occurs in about one in every 2.5 million births.

Dr Al Rabeeah said the offer of medical help for the twins was a humanitarian gesture towards Saudi Arabia’s “brotherly Yemeni neighbours” and an extension of King Salman’s efforts to help people around the world.

He said King Salman told the medical team to perform the operation as quickly as possible and provide the twins with the best health care possible.

The plan is part of the Saudi national programme for separating conjoined twins from different parts of the world.

Under the initiative, Saudi Arabia covers all travel and medical expenses. So far, the country has assessed 108 cases from 21 countries.

In January, Yemeni conjoined twins were flown to the kingdom from Mukalla. The twins were assessed by doctors at King Salman Airbase in Riyadh.