Riyadh, May 8, 2026(Kamran Raja): The specialized medical and surgical team of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program (SCTP) achieved a new medical milestone by successfully separating Tanzanian conjoined twins Nancy and Nice during a complex operation conducted at King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital (KASCH) at King Abdulaziz Medical City of the Ministry of National Guard in Riyadh.
Advisor to the Royal Court, Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), and Head of the Surgical and Multidisciplinary Team of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, stated that the operation was completed successfully after a 16-and-a-half-hour procedure carried out across 10 stages.
Dr. Al Rabeeah explained that the operation involved a team of 35 consultants, specialists, nursing staff, and technicians from multiple disciplines, including anesthesia, pediatric surgery, plastic surgery, pediatric urology, pediatric orthopedics, and other supporting specialties, ensuring the highest standards of precision and patient safety throughout the procedure.
He further noted that the twins were conjoined at the lower chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Each child had one lower limb, while sharing a third deformed lower limb. They also shared several vital organs and systems, including the liver, large intestine, anus, urinary and reproductive systems, along with a shared external genitalia malformation.
Dr. Al Rabeeah highlighted that this marks the third successful separation of conjoined twins from Tanzania and the 71st separation operation performed under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program. Over the past 35 years, the program has reviewed 157 cases from 28 countries, reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s leading humanitarian and medical role on the global stage.
He expressed profound gratitude to the leadership of the Kingdom for their continuous support and patronage, which have enabled Saudi Arabia to become one of the world’s foremost centers specializing in conjoined twins separation surgeries.
The family of the Tanzanian twins also conveyed their heartfelt appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman for the exceptional medical care provided to the twins and praised the extensive efforts of the medical team that contributed to the success of the operation.