Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme: Transforming Painful Beginnings into Stories of Hope

The Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme, under the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), exemplifies the humanitarian and medical achievements of the government of 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, and highlights the Kingdom’s distinguished initiatives.

 On World Conjoined Twins Day, celebrated on November 24, KSrelief showcases the success of its medical team. Since its establishment in 1990, the program has become a global model, positioning the Kingdom as a leader in this rare medical field and offering hope to families facing complex challenges. With expert planning and skilled professionals, the program has transformed painful beginnings into stories of hope, benefiting children and families worldwide.

 The program covers all expenses related to separation surgeries, treatment, and post-operative rehabilitation, including transportation and accommodation for families, fostering a supportive environment for healing. In its 35 years, the initiative has performed 67 separation surgeries and evaluated 152 cases from 28 countries. Various entities, including the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the King Abdullah Specialized Children's Hospital, support the program's efforts.

 In November 2024, KSrelief hosted an international conference to commemorate the program's achievements, bringing together global experts and marking World Conjoined Twins Day. The conference resulted in agreements to provide ongoing healthcare and education for conjoined twins in their home countries, ensuring access to services tailored to their needs.

 The center has signed several agreements and cooperation programs specifically aimed at caring for conjoined twins. These agreements cover plans to provide healthcare and education for conjoined twins in their home countries after they are separated. The goal is to facilitate access to health, education, and social services in accordance with international standards and the individual needs of the twins. Additionally, the services will be linked to a database and information bank to ensure ongoing monitoring. This phase of the program marks a significant advancement in enhancing, continuing, and integrating the services available to them.

 Furthermore, the center has established two cooperation programs with Imperial College London and Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, supporting research and studies related to conjoined twins.

 KSrelief has launched a dedicated website for the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme at https://sctp.ksrelief.org/home/index, featuring information about the medical team, a video library of achievements, links to KSrelief’s platforms, and contact details for the center.