RIYADH: A team of Saudi surgeons successfully separated a pair of Egyptian conjoined twins named Salma and Sarah after complex surgery that lasted 17 hours in Riyadh.
“In implementation of the directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the specialized surgical team managed to separate the Egyptian twins Salma and Sarah, who shared the head area, after a complex surgery that lasted 17 hours,” said the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center in a statement on Thursday.
The operation began at 8 a.m. Wednesday at the King Abdullah Specialist Hospital for Children, in King Abdulaziz Medical City, undertaken by a team of 31 consultants, specialists, support staff and nurses, KSrelief told Arab News.
The multidisciplinary team was led by Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, an adviser to the Saudi Royal Court and supervisor-general of the KSrelief.
Al-Rabeeah said that the twins arrived in the Kingdom Nov. 23, 2021, and the specialized team subsequently conducted a number of medical examinations.
He said the surgical team, led by Dr. Moatasem Al-Zoubi from pediatric neurosurgery, Dr. Muhammad Al-Fawzan from plastic surgery, and Dr. Nizar Al-Zughaibi from pediatric anesthesia, decided to perform the surgery in four separate operations, with several weeks between each, to separate the brains and common venous sinuses of the twins.
In addition, three operations were done to stretch their skin where appropriate by plastic surgery, with the four operations to separate the twins taking about 57 hours in total, including 17 hours for the final operation.
Dr. Al-Zoubi reported that the operation was complicated in the adhesion area, especially in the location of the venous sinuses, which forced the surgical team to perform the operation in the four separate stages to ensure the safety of the twins.
Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian initiatives have previously assisted with 130 cases of conjoined twins from 23 countries over a period of 33 years, said Al-Rabeeah.
He expressed his appreciation to King Salman and the crown prince for the great support that the conjoined twins separation program in the Kingdom receives, which enables the medical team to achieve its unprecedented success.
He praised the efforts of his fellow medics for the successful operation.
The parents of the twins expressed their thanks and gratitude to King Salman and the crown prince for the operations and provision of necessary assistance, and praised the great humanitarian work that the Kingdom is doing.
Saudi surgeons separate Egyptian conjoined twins
https://arab.news/bqvzf
Saudi surgeons separate Egyptian conjoined twins
- The two girls, Salma and Sarah, underwent over 17 hours in the operating theater
- The multidisciplinary team was led by Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, an adviser to the Saudi Royal Court and supervisor-general of the KSrelief
Japan ambassador attends manga exhibition in Riyadh
- ‘Manga Hokusai Manga’ exhibition held to mark 70 years of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Japan
RIYADH: Japan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Yasunari Morino attended the opening ceremony of the “Manga Hokusai Manga” exhibition here on Tuesday.
Held at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art, the show is one of many upcoming events celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The exhibition celebrates the work of renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai.
In his speech, Morino said it was a “delight to see more and more Saudi people enjoying the Japanese culture from (the) traditional to contemporary.”
He added that he was happy to see “Saudi artists being inspired by the Japanese manga to create their artworks.”
“I sincerely hope this exhibition will make another footprint of the Japanese culture in KSA and give a great impact in the Saudi art scene,” he said.
The exhibition has been organized in cooperation with the Saudi Museums Commission and the Japan Foundation and is open to the public until Feb. 8.
A version of this article appeared on Arab News Japan.
Saudi aid agency KSrelief distributes over 2,000 food parcels in Pakistan
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has distributed 2,028 food parcels in Pakistan’s flood-affected Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions, benefiting 13,159 people, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Sunday’s initiative forms part of this year’s Food Security Support Project in Pakistan.
The aid reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing humanitarian efforts through KSrelief to assist needy individuals in Pakistan.
Energy ministers discuss Saudi-Japan cooperation
RIYADH: Japan’s Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yoji Muto held discussions on cooperation with Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz on Tuesday.
The officials reviewed current ties and stressed the importance of joint efforts in energy transitions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The ministers welcomed the progress made under the Manar Initiative, which is a Saudi-Japan effort to promote clean energy.
The initiative was launched after former Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to Saudi Arabia in 2023.
A version of this story originally appeared on Arab News Japan.
Saudi aid agency KSrelief treats hundreds at Aden prosthetics center
- The services included the manufacturing and fitting of prosthetic limbs, as well as physical therapy
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has helped to treat 452 Yemenis, who lost limbs because of the ongoing conflict, at the Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Center in Aden governorate, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
A total of 1,407 procedures were completed for men, who made up 65 percent of patients, and women at 35 percent.
In addition, 54 percent were displaced individuals and 46 percent residents.
The services included the manufacturing and fitting of prosthetic limbs, as well as physical therapy.
KSrelief continues to provide general and critical care for vulnerable Yemeni people, the SPA reported.
New study documents reptile species in King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve
- Researchers identified 31 species — 25 lizards and six snakes — following 1,551 field observations within the reserve
RIYADH: A groundbreaking scientific study has unveiled the first detailed list of reptile species in the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
Conducted by the reserve’s development authority, the study was published in the Amphibian & Reptiles Conservation journal.
Researchers identified 31 species — 25 lizards and six snakes — following 1,551 field observations within the reserve. Three species were also newly documented, raising the reserve’s known total to 34.
The research highlighted two endangered species, the Egyptian monitor lizard (Uromastyx aegyptia) and the Wolfgangboehmei gecko (Tropicolotes wolfgangboehmei), which both face threats from climate change and human activity, according to the study.
Spanning from November 2022 to October 2023, the study employed tools such as genetic barcoding and highlighted the reserve’s ecological diversity.
Aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 program and the Saudi Green Initiative, the study is part of efforts to protect endangered species and sustain wildlife in Saudi Arabia. Researchers recommended enhanced monitoring and adaptive conservation strategies to mitigate environmental challenges.
