Average cost of separation surgery on conjoined twins is at Saudi rial (SR) 2 million (That’s more than Php30 million — SR1 = Php15.23).
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- EDD K. USMAN | Twitter: @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 | Facebook: SDN — SciTech & Digital News
MANILA, May 4, 2024 (SDN) — Filipino conjoined twins Akhisa and Ayeesha Marcaida Yusoph will fly tomorrow, Sunday, on a life-changing journey to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
It’s been the dream of the three generations of the twins’ Marcaida parents, formerly of Marawi City, Lanao del Sur — mother Hashima , 18; grandmother Norelyn, 35; and great-grandmother Ruth, 65 — that their conjoined twins would be freed from their difficult situation.
The twins — who are joined in the abdomen and share lungs — are now one year and five months old — born on the 9th of December in Panabo City, Davao del Norte.
On a sizzling Friday as usual this burning weather every day, Saudi Ambassador to the Philippines Hisham bin Sultan Al-Qahtani hosted a reception at the the Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Makati City, Metro Manila, for the representatives of the Saudi medical team and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) led by Ibrahim Nasser Al-Sakran. They fetched the twins with a special medically equipped aircraft for the around 10 hours flight from Manila to Riyadh.
The twins and their three generations of parents were also present at the diplomatic reception with dignitaries Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Mardomel Celo Melicor, and Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman Richard Gordon, and others.
As members of the news media crowded the twins to interview and take pictures, they were unmindful — like normal kids — to the din of sights and sounds around them. They were playful and eager to get off the hands of their mother.
A Royal Decree His Majesty King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud issued approved the all-expense paid medical procedure, including the accommodation of Hashima and her twins, in the Saudi capital.
Remember that the Kingdom in March 2004, Filipino conjoined twins Princess Ann and Princess Mae Manzo of Mandaue City, Cebu, the Visayas, also sponsored and funded their separation medical procedure as well as months of stay there.
“Masayang kami dahil matutupad na rin ang pangarap namin para sa kina Akisha and Ayeesha,” great-grandmother Ruth tells SDN — SciTech and Digital News. (We are happy because our dreams for the twins Akisha and Ayeesha will be realized.)
These also are the words of the mother Hashima and grandmother Norelyn.
They said the Islamic Mercy Foundation in Davao City endorsed them to the Kingdom’s leadership for the operation, which costs a big fortune.
Philippine officials thank Kingdom and its leadership
In a statement the Saudi ambassador read at the reception, he emphasized that the “Royal initiative comes as part of the Kingdom’s wise leadership commitment — may God preserve it — to care for and concentrate on humanitarian work.”
Al-Qahtani added the Kingdom’s humanitarian work is reflective of one of its prominent achievements in the field of separating conjoined twins and providing outstanding medical care, making Saudi Arabia a pioneer in the field.
The Saudi diplomat noted the Kingdom has already performed over 100 separation surgeries with recipients coming from poor families from many countries.
“It is expected that this noble humanitarian direction will positively impact the Filipino society, as it will help provide (the) conjoined twins the opportunity to receive necessary treatment and overcome the health challenges they face.” Al-Qahtani assured that all expenses for the necessary services and procedures for the Filipino twins, including transportation and accommodation will be shouldered by the Arab State.
The Embassy’s Hameed AlShammari, head of Media and Islamic Affairs Departments, told SDN the specialized medically equipped aircraft that fetched the twins will fly to Riyadh on Sunday, May 5.
He added that there is no schedule yet on when will be the actual separation surgery.
It can be recalled that pediatric surgeon Dr. Abdullah Rabeeah, who leads the team of medical professionals for the delicate procedure many times in the past 30 years, will also perform the surgery on Akisha and Ayeesha.
It was learned from Saudi media that the average cost of separation surgery for conjoined twins is around Saudi riyal (SR) 2 million.
SDN found out that in today’s exchange rate — SR1 amounts to Php15.23, and SR 2 million is over Php30 million.
PRC’s Gordon and DFA’s Melicor expressed thanks to the Saudi government and its leadership for their benevolence.