RIYADH: The medical and surgical team of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme separated 13-month-old Fijian conjoined twins Jasbili and Desisia at King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in Riyadh on Thursday.
Advisor at the Royal Court, Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), and head of the medical and surgical team Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah announced that the operation was successfully completed in 12 hours 45 minutes, in nine stages, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
The operation was carried out with the participation of 34 consultants, specialists, and technical and nursing staff from anesthesiology, pediatric surgery, plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, urology, and supporting specialties.
A moment that captures the profound impact of humanitarian care,
tears of joy and heartfelt prayers as a mother and father await the moment they have long hoped for. Jesipeli and Di Cecea, now named Noura and Sarah, are separated for the first time, beginning their journey toward a new life amid overwhelming joy among the medical team.Saudi Conjoined Twins Program
— KSrelief (@KSRelief_EN) October 15, 2026
Dr. Al Rabeeah said that the twins were joined at the abdomen and pelvis and shared the liver, intestines, colon, anus, urinary system, reproductive system, and pelvic bone.
He noted that this was the first conjoined twin separation operation involving twins from Fiji and the 74th operation in the history of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme. The programme spans more than 35 years, has covered 28 countries across five continents, and has assessed 159 cases worldwide.
A new medical achievement 🇸🇦
The Saudi Conjoined Twins Program has successfully separated Fijian conjoined twins Jaspeli and Desicia in a 12-hour-and-45-minute surgery performed in Riyadh, involving 34 medical professionals across 9 stages.
The procedure marks the program’s 74th separation surgery and its first case involving twins from Fiji, reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s global leadership in this specialized field.
— KSrelief (@KSRelief_EN) October 15, 2026
He affirmed that Saudi Arabia’s medical excellence through the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme, and its established global leadership in managing the most delicate and complex cases, result from a profound humanitarian vision and sincere determination.
The twins arrived in the Kingdom on July 21, 2026, and the medical team conducted a thorough assessment, including comprehensive medical examinations and several consultations, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
In implementation of the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the separation surgery for Fijian conjoined twins “Jasbili and Desisia” has commenced in Riyadh. The procedure involves 34 medical professionals and will be performed in 9 stages over approximately 15 hours, marking the 74th separation procedure under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program.
— KSrelief (@KSRelief_EN) October 15, 2026
The Fijian twins’ family expressed their deep gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for the advanced medical care provided, praising the Saudi medical team’s efforts in ensuring the success of the operation and the twins’ safety.
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Earlier, Dr. Al Rabeeah stated that, based on medical assessment, this was a complex procedure with a success rate of 70%.
