News Investigators/ Nigerian conjoined twins, Hassana and Husaina, who recently underwent a successful separation surgery in Saudi Arabia, have returned to Kano on Friday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the twins received warm reception by Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf and the Consular-General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Kano, Khalil Al-Admawi at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
NAN reports that the twins were separated in Riyadh after a 14-hour surgery conducted by a 38-member medical team at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital.
The complex operation was carried out in nine stages, involving specialists in paediatric surgery, neurosurgery, orthopaedics, urology, anaesthesia and plastic surgery.
The surgery was described as one of the most challenging undertaken under the Saudi Siamese Twins Separation Programme.
The Consular-General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Kano, Mr Al-Admawi, who welcomed the family, said the successful operation reflected Saudi Arabia’s commitment to humanitarian services.
He added that the Kingdom would continue to extend medical support through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, noting Nigeria’s long-standing ties with Saudi Arabia.
The separation of Hassana and Husaina brought the number of successful operations under the Saudi Siamese Twins Separation Programme to 65.
The programme, which has run for over 35 years, had provided care for 150 sets of conjoined twins from 25 countries.
Also speaking, Mr Yusuf commended the Saudi Arabian Government for sponsoring the successful surgery and medical care of the Nigerian conjoined twins.
He described the gesture as humanitarian and a show of strong bilateral relations between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
Mr Yusuf also pledged to sponsor the twins’ medical check-up after one year and also promised to award them scholarships up to university level.
A relative of the twins, who spoke to NAN said the support given to the family of the twins was an indication of the value Saudi Arabia attaches to human life.
“This is a big relief not only to the parents of the children but to Nigerians in general. We thank the Saudi authorities for the kindness.
“We appreciate the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, and the medical team for their efforts. Nigerians will not forget this gesture,” he added.
NAN
