The initiative has become one of the world’s most comprehensive efforts supporting children born with complex congenital conditions.

Since its launch in 1990, the program has assessed 152 cases from 28 countries across five continents, providing advanced medical expertise to families who often lack access to specialized care.

Through the support of national leadership, the program has earned global recognition for both its medical outcomes and its commitment to humanitarian values.

A total of 67 separation surgeries have been performed at King Abdulaziz Medical City, with each procedure delivered at no cost to the families involved.

The program covers every aspect of care, including surgery, rehabilitation, travel, accommodation and family support, ensuring that children receive treatment in a stable and compassionate environment.

This year’s observance emphasized the importance of inclusive health systems and the global responsibility to support children with disabilities.

Saudi Arabia’s engagement in the UN-recognized day reflects its broader commitment to medical outreach through KSrelief, the Kingdom’s international humanitarian aid agency.

KSrelief organized an international conference to mark more than 30 years of the program’s achievements, bringing together medical specialists, policymakers and humanitarian experts.

The event focused on strengthening international cooperation, improving long-term post-surgery support and advancing research on conjoined twins worldwide.

During the conference, new agreements were signed to expand access to integrated services after separation surgeries.

These agreements cover healthcare follow-up, educational support and social services in the children’s home countries, ensuring that families receive continuing assistance beyond the operating room.

A dedicated data platform was also introduced to track long-term outcomes and enhance global understanding of conjoined twin cases.

This effort will support coordinated care, facilitate research and ensure that best practices can be shared across international medical communities.

Additional partnerships were concluded with Imperial College London and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in the UK.
The collaborations aim to advance research, promote knowledge exchange and strengthen the global registry of conjoined twin cases.

Another agreement was signed with the Ministry of Defense’s Aeromedical Evacuation Department to support specialized medical transport for critical cases.

This ensures that infants requiring urgent care can be transported safely and efficiently from their home countries to Saudi Arabia.

To commemorate the UN day, KSrelief joined UNICEF and the Permanent Mission of Saudi Arabia to the UN in hosting an event under the theme “From Words to Action.”

The gathering underscored the need for inclusive healthcare, education and protection services for children with disabilities across the world.

Conjoined twins represent one of the rarest and most complex medical challenges globally, requiring highly specialized teams, advanced surgical planning and long-term rehabilitation.

Their experiences reflect the broader challenges faced by millions of children with disabilities, including limited access to medical care and barriers to full social participation.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, head of the program, emphasized that the initiative demonstrates the impact of expertise guided by compassion.

He noted that the program aims to give every child a chance at a healthier and more dignified life, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Al-Rabeeah said that global partnerships are essential to improving outcomes for children with complex medical needs.

He reaffirmed the shared commitment with UNICEF to ensure that disabilities never stand in the way of a child receiving proper care and support.

As Saudi Arabia continues to expand its humanitarian medical programs, the Conjoined Twins Program remains a leading example of how long-term commitment and international cooperation can transform individual lives.

Its achievements serve as a model for other nations seeking to advance inclusive healthcare and strengthen support for vulnerable children worldwide.

This long-standing relationship has contributed to transforming healthcare systems, empowering medical professionals and bringing modern technologies to both nations.

Over the years, the Kingdom has worked closely with American experts, universities and healthcare companies, allowing Saudi medical institutions to adopt advanced practices and accelerate their own development.

This collaboration has supported the Kingdom’s broader vision of enhancing national healthcare capacity while expanding opportunities for scientific growth.

Partnerships with major US health-technology firms, including Oracle Health and GE Healthcare, have played a defining role in shaping Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation in medicine.

The deployment of Electronic Health Record systems and advanced imaging technologies across Saudi hospitals has improved patient safety, strengthened data management and upgraded diagnostic capabilities nationwide.

One of the most successful areas of cooperation has been public health and disease control, where the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has worked with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health for over 35 years.

Together, they have developed rapid response strategies for emerging diseases, including MERS in 2012 and COVID-19, helping protect millions of people across the region and beyond.

Saudi Arabia’s growing demand for specialized medical expertise has resulted in more partnerships with leading American institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, the Cleveland Clinic and the Mayo Clinic.

These collaborations provide advanced training programs in oncology, geriatrics, informatics and other high-demand specialties, enabling the Kingdom to cultivate highly skilled healthcare professionals.

Among the earliest pioneers of this medical bridge between Saudi Arabia and the US is Dr. Walid Fitaihi, a distinguished physician who earned his medical degree from George Washington Medical School in 1991 and continued his studies at Harvard University.

During his time in the US, he achieved board certifications in internal medicine, endocrinology and diabetes while also serving as a medical director and instructor at Harvard Medical School.

Beyond his academic achievements, Dr. Fitaihi contributed to community development by helping establish the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center, New England’s largest mosque dedicated to interfaith unity.\

He later returned to the Kingdom to found the International Medical Center in Jeddah, launching the institution in 2006 in partnership with the Cleveland Clinic to elevate the standards of private healthcare in Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Fitaihi emphasizes that medical cooperation serves as a meaningful bridge between nations, allowing them to benefit from shared expertise and collective experience.

He believes the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the US is reciprocal, with both nations offering valuable knowledge, talent and technological advancements to each other.

Research collaboration has also expanded significantly, particularly at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSHRC), which has partnered with major American medical organizations to advance cancer treatments, clinical trials and leadership development.

Agreements with ImmunityBio, Houston Methodist Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital highlight the growing focus on innovation, precision medicine and patient safety.

These initiatives continue to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s healthcare ecosystem while supporting the Kingdom’s transformation into a global hub for medical excellence and scientific research.

As both countries look ahead, their shared commitment to innovation, training and world-class care ensures a promising future for millions who depend on these advancements.