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- EDD K. USMAN | Twitter: @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 | Facebook: SDN — SciTech and Digital News
(SDN) May 2, 2024 — Ambassador Hisham bin Sultan N. Al-Qahtani will host a diplomatic reception for a medical team from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Friday, May 3.
In relation with this, the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, where the event will be held in Makati City, has sent out invitations to join the reception to officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Red Cross (PRC)), and National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF).
In an embassy statement sent to SDN — SciTech & Digital News, it was learned that Saudi leader King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud has issued a Royal Decree approving a medical operation “to separate the Filipino conjoined twins named Akhizah and Ayeesha Yosoph in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
An all-paid operation, including accommodation
“All necessary services and procedures for their transportation will be under the State’s expense through a medically equipped evacuation plane with the latest technologies. Additionally, the State will also provide accommodation and hospitality for their relatives during the treatment period,” the Embassy statement emphasizes.
“This benevolent and friendly initiative comes within the framework of the distinguished bilateral relations between the Kingdom and the Republic of the Philippines across all fields and mutual cooperation.”
The statement also took note of the forthcoming medical event to be done in the Kingdom as reflective of the qualitative lead in the medical capabilities of the Islamic nation, adding “it has become a pioneer in the field of separating conjoined twins, having performed more than 133 operations for various nationalities, including the separation of the Filipino conjoined twins Ann and Mae in 2004.”
Here’s part of the Embassy’s statement:
“The medical achievement is attributed to the continuous efforts of the wise leadership in developing the healthcare sector and providing a conducive environment for innovation and development in the field of medicine, making the Kingdom a global hub for advanced surgical operations.
Likewise, the Kingdom is considered an exemplary model in the field of healthcare within the Arab world and globally, thanks to its advanced hospitals and qualified medical staff. Its medical successes extend beyond the realm of separating conjoined twins to include combatting deadly diseases and developing advanced treatments. These achievements highlight the Kingdom’s future vision for healthcare, where it attracts attention from seekers of excellent treatment and superior healthcare.”
The statement’s reference to the separated conjoined twins in 2004 refers to Princess Ann and Princess Mae Manzo of Mandaue City, Cebu, in the Visayas. Their abdomen and pelvis were formerly conjoined before their operation that on March 20.
In the Kingdom, pediatric surgeon Dr. Abdullah al-Rabeeah has been performing the separation surgeries at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in Riyadh, the Saudi capital.
Funding for the expensive and highly delicate medical procedure is provided by the Kingdom’s various royal and Islamic charities, one of them the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief).
Al-Rabeeah was quoted by ABC News on the significance of the Kingdom’s humanitarianism as many of the conjoined twins already separated came from poor families in many countries.
“It has nothing to do with geography, religion or politics. It’s based on science and humanity,” the Saudi pediatric surgeon said. He has been spearheading the program for more than 30 years and leading the medical operation that may comprised a team from 28 to 50 medical professionals.
SDN learned from internet sources that Princess Ann and Princess Mae’s operation, including their months of stay and accommodation in Riyadh easily topped over half a million Saudi rial (which in today’s exchange rate — SR1 = Php15.34 — amount to over Php7.6 million). — (/)