Third Filipino conjoined twins to undergo surgery in Saudi Arabia

Klea Ann and Maurice Ann Misa of Lubang Island in Occidental Mindoro are set to become the third Filipino conjoined twins to undergo separation surgery in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

According to a recent post by the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, the twins and their parents paid a courtesy visit to Ambassador Raymond Balatbat ahead of the "life-changing" procedure.

"With their parents by their side, these brave little souls are embraced by the unwavering support of two nations united in compassion," the embassy's post read. 

"Their journey ahead is one of hope—hope for a future filled with possibility and a new beginning," the post added.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila said the twins "have been interconnected for six years." They are currently under the care of the Saudi Ministry of Health for medical checkups for their "rigorous medical procedure and eventual separation," the DFA added.

This marks the third time that Filipino conjoined twins were flown to Saudi Arabia for treatment under the Kingdom's humanitarian program. 

In 2024, Akhizah and Ayeesha Yusoph of Davao del Norte underwent the procedure. At the time, they were one year and four months old and shared a liver when they were fetched for the operation.

Twenty years ahead of them, conjoined twins Ann and Mae Manzo became a beneficiary of the Saudi project.

Saudi Arabia has been known to be a pioneer in the field of separating conjoined twins, having performed more than 133 operations for various nationalities as of May last year.

"The Embassy acknowledges the remarkable vision of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program—not only in giving Filipino twins a chance at a normal life, but in extending its kindness to conjoined twins from across the world," the Philippine embassy added.

According to the Mayo Clinic, conjoined twins "develop when an early embryo only partially separates to form two individuals."

"Some surviving conjoined twins can be surgically separated. The success of surgery depends on where the twins are joined and how many and which organs are shared. It also depends on the experience and skill of the surgical team," the United States-based hospital said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News