RIYADH, Saudi Arabia —For the first time since birth, Filipino conjoined twins Klea and Moris Ann were seen lying separately in their own hospital beds after undergoing a highly complex separation surgery at King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital.

The twins, who arrived in Saudi Arabia in May 2025 for evaluation, were joined at the head, sharing veins and portions of brain tissue, making their case one of the most complicated in the world. One of the twins also suffered from heart disease and kidney failure, further increasing the risks.

The delicate procedure began on Thursday and lasted nearly 24 hours, divided into five stages. It was led by Dr. Mutasim Al-Zoubi and overseen by Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, with a team of 30 specialists in anesthesia, intensive care, imaging, and plastic surgery.

Dr. Al-Rabeeah explained that the operation carried a 50 percent risk due to the complexity of the twins’ condition, with possible neurological complications that could affect up to 60 percent of their functions. “Lubos na naipaliwanag sa mga magulang ang kalagayan at plano ng operasyon,” he said, noting that the family gave full consent after consultations with international experts confirmed the Saudi team’s assessment.

The surgery was conducted under the directive of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as part of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program. Since 1990, the program has successfully separated 70 pairs of conjoined twins from 28 countries across five continents.

The family expressed deep gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and the entire medical team for their dedication and compassion. “Hindi lamang isang operasyon ang kanilang isinagawa—binigyan nila ng panibagong pagkakataon ang kambal upang mabuhay nang hiwalay,” the family said.

Though the twins are now recovering in separate rooms, their bond as sisters remains unbreakable. Their case has become a symbol of hope and medical achievement, showing how international cooperation and advanced healthcare can transform lives.

This milestone surgery not only gave Klea and Moris Ann a chance to live independently but also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s growing role in global humanitarian medical missions.