Filipino conjoined twins joined at the head have been successfully separated in Saudi Arabia after an intricate and high-risk operation described by doctors as “one of the most complex cases worldwide.”

The surgery, which lasted for 18 and a half hours, has been carried out at King Abdullah Specialised Children’s Hospital in Riyadh by a team of 30 consultants, specialists, and nursing and technical staff across multiple disciplines.

A complex case

In a statement, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) has noted that the twins, Klea Ann and Maurice Ann Misa, involved severe medical complications.

Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah, supervisor general of KSrelief and head of the medical and surgical team of the programme, has revealed that Klea Ann was suffering from cardiac muscle insufficiency and severe kidney atrophy with complete renal failure, which further increased the complexity of the procedure.

“The twins’ case is among the most complex in the world due to several medical factors, most notably the complex angular positioning of the two heads, extensive sharing of the cerebral venous sinuses, and intertwining of brain tissue between the two girls,” explained Al Rabeeah.

He has bared that the case carried significant risk even before surgery.

“Based on the multidisciplinary medical evaluation and precise diagnostic studies, the level of risk reaches 50 percent due to the medical challenges associated with the case, with the possibility of severe neurological complications that may result in disability at a rate of up to 60 percent.”

Five-stage surgical plan

The twins have arrived in Saudi Arabia on May 17 last year, and underwent a series of precise examinations, imaging tests, and medical consultations.

Following several discussions, the surgical team has developed a five-stage plan. The operation has been led by Dr. Muatasim Al-Zoubi, consultant paediatric neurosurgeon, and involved specialists in anaesthesia, intensive care, advanced imaging, neurosurgery, and plastic surgery.

Doctors have initially estimated the procedure to take up to 24 hours.

70th case under programme

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), KSrelief has announced the successful operation after nearly 13 hours of continuous surgery. 

“This marks the 70th operation in the programme’s history and the third case involving twins from the Philippines, with subsequent stages continuing for reconstruction and closure.”

The procedure has been performed under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme, which has handled 157 cases from 28 countries since 1990.

Family relief after surgery

Meanwhile, the twins’ mother has expressed relief after the success of the separation surgery. 

“Truly a miracle for our family. Our hearts are full of gratitude and happiness because we have prayed and waited for this moment for so long,” said the mother in a video.

She added, “To all the doctors, nurses, and the entire medical team, thank you for your dedication and compassion. You did not only perform surgery, you gave my twins a chance to live their lives separately.”

After 18 and a half hours of hope and waiting… the mother of the twins “Klea and Maurice Ann” shares her joy over the success of the separation surgery, after it opened the door for them to an independent life and endless hope.

GN

 The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), has identified six categories within nursing and allied health professions that are exempt from the requirement of six months’ post-graduation experience to obtain a professional license. This initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of the healthcare licensing system and align it with labor market needs.

The Ministry clarified that the exempted categories include:

• Registered Nurse
• Assistant Nurse
• Medical Laboratory Technician
• Laboratory Technologist
• Respiratory Care Technician
• Healthcare Assistant

The Ministry stated that the objective of this decision is to accelerate the integration of qualified professionals into the labor market while maintaining performance quality and professional standards.

Graduates inside and outside the UAE

The Ministry confirmed that the exemption applies to all graduates, whether from within the UAE or abroad. It also noted that other specializations within allied health professions are under review by healthcare authorities, with the possibility of granting exemptions on a case-by-case basis, provided that this does not compromise the quality of healthcare services or patient safety.

This decision aims to comprehensively enhance regulatory procedures and expedite the integration of nursing and allied health graduates into the workforce, maximizing the benefit of human capital while maintaining high standards of performance.

Healthcare licensing system

Updating exemption and licensing mechanisms forms part of a broader vision to develop the national healthcare licensing system and strengthen compliance with applicable legislation and regulatory frameworks. This supports workforce sustainability and facilitates faster workforce entry for graduates without compromising quality standards.

Standardizing procedures across the UAE enhances trust in the healthcare system, reinforces transparency and professional fairness, and establishes a more efficient regulatory environment capable of meeting current demands and anticipating future needs.

The Ministry emphasized that updating healthcare licensing policies reflects a high level of flexibility and integration among relevant government entities, as well as a commitment to continuously improving the legislative environment of the labor market. It also ensures that processes and governance frameworks are comprehensive and integrated, maximizing benefits for all stakeholders and meeting workforce needs in the healthcare sector.

Exceptional importance of the healthcare sector

The Ministry highlighted its readiness to support government entities in advancing their operations, in line with its central role in regulating the labor market. It noted that advanced digital infrastructure facilitates seamless electronic integration among entities, accelerates updates, and supports government efforts in service excellence and sustained national leadership.

It also emphasized the exceptional importance of the healthcare sector as a key pillar directly linked to quality of life, public health, and the efficient delivery of healthcare services.

Enabling academic staff to practice

In a related development, the Ministry, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, announced the authorization of academic staff in universities and medical colleges—including physicians and other healthcare specialists—to practice within healthcare facilities.

This decision aims to strengthen the integration between education and practical application, reinforce governance, compliance, and unified licensing standards, and support the sustainability and readiness of the healthcare workforce to meet current and future challenges.

Professional licenses may be issued to academic staff upon meeting qualification, experience, and prior licensing requirements. Teaching hours may also be counted toward Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements in accordance with accredited medical education policies. This reflects a qualitative recognition of the academic role and promotes a culture of continuous learning within healthcare professions.

The decision represents an institutional approach that balances regulatory flexibility with adherence to governance standards. Enabling academic staff to practice professionally enriches the healthcare work environment with advanced expertise and contributes to improving system efficiency, while maintaining unified licensing requirements that ensure quality of care and patient safety. This ultimately supports the sustainability, flexibility, and effectiveness of the healthcare sector in achieving the objectives of the “We the UAE 2031” vision.

GN

Sharjah: Doctors at NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah successfully diagnosed and treated a rare, potentially life-threatening condition in a 33-year-old woman after her symptoms initially appeared to be caused by a severe infection.

The patient was admitted with high fever, severe body aches and blood test results that strongly suggested a serious infection. Initial scans also showed involvement of multiple organs, including the lungs and kidneys, making the case appear at first to be a straightforward infectious illness.

However, as doctors continued their assessment, they found that the clinical picture did not fully match the expected diagnosis. Despite extensive testing, no clear source of infection could be identified, prompting the medical team to investigate further for an alternative cause.

A routine chest X-ray provided the first major clue when it revealed an unusual abnormality in the aorta, the main blood vessel carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The finding was unexpected in a young woman and led doctors to carry out urgent specialist investigations.

Further examination uncovered a noticeable difference in blood pressure between the patient’s arms, along with abnormal blood flow sounds in the neck. These signs indicated a possible blood vessel disorder rather than infection.

Advanced imaging later confirmed widespread inflammation and narrowing of major arteries supplying blood to the brain and upper body. Within days, doctors reached the final diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis, a rare inflammatory disease affecting large blood vessels and one that can be difficult to detect in its early stages.

Takayasu arteritis is more commonly seen in young women and often begins with general symptoms such as fever, fatigue and body pain. Because these symptoms closely resemble common infections, diagnosis is frequently delayed. If left untreated, the condition can lead to stroke, organ damage and long-term disability due to reduced blood flow.

Once the diagnosis was confirmed, the patient was started on targeted treatment to control inflammation. Doctors said the timely intervention helped reduce the risk of serious complications and improved her overall outcome.

Dr Muhammed Azhar Abdullah, Consultant Rheumatology and Specialist Internal Medicine at NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah, said:

“Cases like this show that medicine is not only about advanced technology, but also about careful observation and clinical judgment. When symptoms do not fully fit the expected diagnosis,it is important to pause and reassess. Early recognition of Takayasu arteritis can make a significant difference to outcomes, and in this case, teamwork and attention to subtle signs helped us reach the correct diagnosis in time.”

The case highlights the importance of combining modern diagnostics with strong clinical assessment, and reflects the growing capabilities of NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah in managing complex and rare medical conditions through multidisciplinary care.