First surgery of its kind in the region to separate conjoined twins at the head in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi witnessed the successful completion of a complex surgical procedure to separate conjoined Nigerian twins at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City – SEHA, part of the PureHealth Group. This groundbreaking surgery saved the girls' lives, reinforcing Abu Dhabi's leading position in the global healthcare sector and underscoring its commitment to excellence and humanitarian values. The emirate continues to play a vital role in developing the global healthcare sector through forging close partnerships with leading international institutions.This commitment to promoting global health is evident in the recent success of separating conjoined Nigerian twins, a humanitarian and medical achievement that saved their lives. For the first time since the final surgery, the girls were able to see each other face-to-face and play together. The separation of the 15-month-old twins, born in Nigeria with fused skulls, intertwined brain tissue, and tangled blood vessels, presented a highly complex surgical challenge. It required advanced medical techniques, meticulous planning, and exceptional surgical precision. Over six months, the girls underwent four consecutive surgeries performed by a multidisciplinary medical team of more than 60 experts and doctors from the UAE, the UK, Brazil, and Nigeria. The team included neurosurgeons, craniofacial surgeons, pediatricians, anesthesiologists, nurses, radiologists, and rehabilitation specialists. The Gemini Untwined Foundation, a charity specialising in research and treatment of conjoined twins, played a pivotal role in coordinating efforts and providing the necessary clinical expertise in Abu Dhabi.For months, the twin girls underwent numerous complex surgeries in Abu Dhabi, supported by cutting-edge imaging technology, advanced augmented reality simulations, and 3D printing. These technologies enabled the medical team to create detailed maps of the twins' delicate vascular and nervous systems and to work within a shared virtual reality environment that allowed for real-time collaboration between doctors in different locations around the world. All surgeries and treatments were successfully performed at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, part of the PureHealth Group, in Abu Dhabi.Her Excellency Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation, said: “This surgery is not only a medical achievement, but also an embodiment of generosity, courage, and global cooperation. It reflects Abu Dhabi’s unwavering commitment to providing advanced healthcare that transforms the lives of communities. We are proud to support this global collaboration and host this achievement in the UAE, where global expertise and innovative technologies have come together to revive hope. We express our appreciation to the PureHealth initiative that transformed this achievement into a tangible reality. This exemplifies the principles of the UAE, a leader in humanitarian values ​​and excellence.”Her Excellency Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International CooperationHer Excellency added: “This exceptional achievement underscores the UAE’s growing role as a leading global hub in the healthcare sector, where humanitarian values ​​meet cutting-edge medical expertise. The successful separation of twins Mercy and Goodness is not only a significant advancement in medical science, but also embodies the power of international collaboration. This achievement reflects the UAE’s unwavering commitment to advancing healthcare for all, regardless of geographical boundaries, and reinforces our dedication to providing life-changing care based on excellence, compassion, and innovation.”Mansour Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: “Such outstanding achievements reflect the leading capabilities, advanced infrastructure, and distinguished medical expertise of Abu Dhabi’s healthcare system, which have collectively contributed to establishing the emirate as a leading destination for providing world-class healthcare. This achievement adds to the impressive record of the healthcare sector in Abu Dhabi, serving as evidence of the qualitative value that the emirate adds to the global healthcare system, particularly in dealing with the most complex medical cases.”Mansour Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu DhabiFarhan Malik, founder and managing director of PureHealth Group, said: “We feel proud and grateful to be working in a sector that allows us to make a positive impact on human life, which is what always drives us to put every life at the heart of what we do.”Thanks to the effective coordination and integration of multidisciplinary teams, supported by PureHealth within a unified care system in collaboration with Gemini Untwind, the various stages of the girls' treatment were completed with meticulous precision, from surgical planning to recovery. Following the successful separation surgery, their skulls were reconstructed using 3D-printed titanium grafts. Today, Mercy and Goodness continue their recovery journey in the UAE, where they are undergoing a comprehensive rehabilitation program designed to develop their motor skills and enhance their ability to move independently, in preparation for their return to Nigeria.Professor Noor Owais Gilani, founder of Gemini Untwind and consultant pediatric neurosurgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, led the surgical team throughout the procedure. He said, “This case represents a unique achievement, highlighting the advanced medical outcomes that can be attained when professional expertise, compassionate support, and cutting-edge technology are combined. The determination of the two girls and their family, along with the exemplary partnership between international expertise and the medical team in the UAE, played a crucial role in achieving this success. This achievement would not have been possible without the support of the Abu Dhabi healthcare system, which hosted the girls and their family, and the tremendous efforts of the PureHealth team during their surgeries. The success of this operation undoubtedly underscores the power of international partnerships, knowledge sharing, and the application of the latest technologies to achieve remarkable treatment outcomes that improve patients’ lives.”