72nd conjoined twins operation marks new Saudi medical milestone

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Jun, 2026) A Saudi medical team has successfully separated Filipino conjoined twins, Olivia and Gianna, during a complex six-hour surgery at King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital in Riyadh, marking another milestone in the Kingdom’s internationally recognized conjoined twins programme.

According to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the operation was carried out by the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme (SCTP) at King Abdulaziz Medical City under the supervision of Adviser to the Royal Court and Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah.

Dr Al Rabeeah said the surgery was completed successfully after six hours with the participation of 22 consultants, specialists, nursing staff and technicians who worked together to ensure the highest standards of safety and precision.

SPA told APP that the twins were joined at the chest and abdomen, sharing a liver and possibly part of the intestines.

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One of the children was also suffering from congenital heart defects that increased the complexity and risks of the operation.

The procedure was the fourth successful separation of conjoined twins from the Philippines and the 72nd operation conducted under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme during its 35-year history.

Al Rabeeah noted that the programme has assessed 158 cases from 28 countries across five continents, making it one of the world's leading humanitarian and specialized pediatric surgical initiatives.

He said the latest success reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to providing advanced medical care and humanitarian assistance to children and families in need, regardless of nationality.

The twins' family expressed deep gratitude to the Saudi leadership and the medical team for providing world-class treatment and making the life-changing surgery possible.