Filipino conjoined twins arrive in Riyadh for life-saving surgery under Saudi Humanitarian Initiative

Riyadh: Filipino conjoined twin sisters Klea and Maurice Ann have arrived in Riyadh, accompanied by their family, to undergo medical assessment and a potential separation surgery at King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital under the Ministry of National Guard.

The evaluation and possible procedure are being carried out under the directives of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The initiative is part of the Kingdom’s internationally recognized Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme, which offers life-saving surgeries and comprehensive care free of charge to families from around the world.

Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, head of the medical and surgical team leading the programme, expressed his gratitude to the Kingdom’s leadership for championing this humanitarian cause.

“This initiative reflects the noble values and firm principles of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in extending aid to those in need,” Dr. Al Rabeeah said. “It also affirms the Kingdom’s global leadership in the fields of humanitarian aid and complex medical care.”

Dr. Al Rabeeah, who also serves as Adviser at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), emphasized that the Conjoined Twins Programme is one of the Kingdom’s most prominent humanitarian models—built on principles of mercy, solidarity, and human dignity, regardless of race, religion, or nationality.

The twins' family expressed deep gratitude to the Saudi leadership for their warm welcome and the world-class medical care their children are receiving.

“We are overwhelmed with gratitude,” said the twins’ mother. “This is a chance at a new life for our daughters, and we are thankful to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their generosity and compassion.”

Saudi Arabia’s Conjoined Twins Programme, launched in 1990, has evaluated 149 cases from 27 countries and successfully performed 64 complex separation surgeries. It remains one of the most advanced and generous programmes of its kind in the world.

Just days ago, the programme achieved another milestone with the successful separation of Eritrean twins Asma and Someya, who were born joined at the head. The intricate 15.5-hour procedure was led by Dr. Al Rabeeah and involved 36 consultants and specialists across multiple disciplines.

The surgery programme is part of a larger commitment by Saudi Arabia to global humanitarian work through KSrelief. Established on May 13, 2015, KSrelief has implemented over 3,400 projects in 107 countries, with a total value exceeding $8 billion.

These projects address urgent needs in food security, health, education, sanitation, protection, and nutrition.

So far, KSrelief has launched 1,089 projects for women, valued at over $868 million, and 1,029 child-focused initiatives worth more than $1 billion, benefiting over 219 million children globally.

As the world watches and waits, the Kingdom’s continued dedication to saving lives and supporting families like that of Klea and Maurice Ann reinforces its role as a beacon of compassion and medical excellence on the global stage.