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- EDD K. USMAN | Twitter: @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 | Facebook: SDN — SciTech & Digital News
MANILA, June 9, 2024 (SDN) — Filipino twins Akhizah and Ayeesha Marcaida Yusoph, 5.6 years old, are now recovering at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital (KASCH) in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
On June 6, renowned Saudi pediatric surgeon Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah and his team of more than 20 medical professionals successfully performed the twins’ delicate five-phase separation surgery, lasting at least five hours.
Al-Rabeeah paid tribute to his team, lauding his fellow medical professionals as he spread the joy of triumph.
“This success is a testament to the dedication and skill of our medical team and unwavering support of the Kingdom’s leadership. It brings us immense joy to see these children given a chance for a better life,” the famous Saudi medical professional said, as quoted by Saudi news outfit As-Sharq Al-Awsat.
It was learned from information received by SDN – SciTech & Digital News the other day that Akhizah and Ayeesha are now recovering from surgery that separated them. They shared a liver.
The conjoined twins’ mother, Hashima Marcaida Yusoph, 18, and their grandmother Norelyn, 54, thanked Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud; Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman; Dr. Al-Rabeeah; Dr. Namshan; Islamic Mercy Foundation in Davao City, Davao del Norte, Mindanao; Saudi Ambassador to the Philippines Hisham bin Sultan Al-Qahtani; and all those who helped in their medical journey.
“I want to thank all those who helped my children. First of all, King Salman, Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman (MBS) because they provided the free operation for my daughters here in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“I also want to thank the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Government for accepting us here in Saudi Arabia, and to the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the Philippines Hisham Al-Qahtani. Thank you so much for supporting us.
“And to Dr. Al-Rabeeah and Dr. Namshan for the separation (surgery) of my twins, thank you so much. And to all the medical staff, thank you very much.
“And the Islamic Mercy Foundation headed by Mohammad Habeeb Al-Khulaqi, thank you so much, because they were the reason we were brought (to the Saudi government’s attention) and flown to Saudi Arabia for my daughters’ operation. As well as to the Saudi Embassy, thank you very much.
“And to the Saudi Medical Evacuation (MediVac) Team, we are also thankful for they did not neglect us during our flight. And to all the people who prayed for my children, thanks to them.
“And I know all these plans are from Allah, I will thank Him through my worship. Again, thank very much to all of you,” Hashima M. Yusoph said in a message relayed to SDN via Messenger.
Saudi conjoined twins program started in 1990
The twins’ young mother recalled she was ultra tense watching the surgery being live-streamed on a big screen outside the operating room.
“But my joy still prevailed because my long held dream for them was finally fulfilled. They will no longer be in difficulties, they can now play normally like other children. I’ll not be having difficulties taking care of them because everything is normal now. I am so happy now, my happiness cannot be equaled,” the mother said in her message to SDN.
Amidst Hashima’s mixed feelings during the surgery, she was thinking of her twins’ condition because she didn’t know what the outcome would be.
“My only thought at the time was that the operation succeeds. I just kept on praying.”
Hashima said she wants to visit Akhizah and Ayeesha often, but it is not advisable because when they see her, they always cry, and their sleep is disturbed.
She added that Ayeesha (with cleft lip) is “makulit” while her sister Akhizah prefers to sleep. She said she undertood they will also operate on her baby’s cleft after she recovers from the surgery.
Hashima said she personally thanked Dr. Al-Rabeeah as she was carrying one of her daughters. “I can’t explain my feelings, just too happy. I am super happy. My mother and I are super happy that after years of sacrifice the burden has been lifted.”
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), sponsored and funded the medical procedure that was earlier reported to cost around two million Saudi riyal (SR2 million), which is over Php30 million in Philippine currency. Al-Rabeeah is supervisory general of KSRelief.
King Salman made the surgery possible through a Royal Decree he issued as revealed by Al-Qahtani.
The Royal Decree of King Salman, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, ordered an all-expense paid separation surgery as well as for their stay in the Saudi capital.
Before the departure for Riyadh on May 5 of the Filipino toddlers and their mother, Hashima, and their grandmother, Norelyn Marcaida, and great-grandmother Ruth Marcaida, Al-Qahtani tendered a diplomatic reception for them at the Saudi Chancery in Makati City, Metro Manila.
It can be recalled that Al-Rabeeah and his medical team first operated in 2004 on Filipino conjoined twins Princess Ann and Princess Mae Manzo of Mandaue City, Cebu, the Visayas, in 2004.
It was also all-expense paid by the Saudi government including their months of stay in Riyadh. Years of medicine was also provided free. Princess Ann and Princess Mae are now around 24 years old and studying in Cebu.
As-Sharq Al-Awsat said the conjoined twins program of the Saudi government was established in 1990. Since then the program had looked into the cases of 136 conjoined twins from 26 countries.
To date Al-Rabeeah and his team’s separation surgeries have registered 61 ccomplishments, including the operation on Akhizah and Ayeesha.
Al-Qahtani said 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.” (✓)