Saudi Arabia to fund separation surgery for Fijian conjoined twins after $1m requests from other countries

Saudi Arabia has pledged to cover the full cost of separating conjoined twins from Fiji, after three other countries requested a $1 million USD advance payment for the surgery, according to Radio New Zealand.

The broadcaster reported that the twins, De Sicia and Jesibelle Kikau, aged 10 months, were born as part of triplets at Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Fiji's capital, Suva. This is the first case of conjoined twins in Fiji in 20 years.

Eight months searching for treatment

Radio New Zealand said a medical team in Fiji spent eight months seeking a facility willing to perform the separation, contacting Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, the UK, and the US. Three of these countries requested a $1 million advance, while others showed interest for research purposes.

Saudi Arabia covers all expenses

The broadcaster added that the Saudi government agreed to perform the surgery free of charge on humanitarian grounds, covering all travel and accommodation costs for the twins, their parents, and their sister. The Fijian government also sent a doctor to accompany the family and coordinate with the medical team at King Salman Hospital in Riyadh.

Comprehensive medical assessment in Riyadh

Radio New Zealand reported that doctors in Riyadh will re-evaluate the twins before scheduling the surgery. The girls are joined from below the chest to the pelvis, each with separate hearts and lungs, but sharing some organs, including the bladder and parts of the intestines and colon.

Positive outlook for surgery

The broadcaster quoted Dr. Elisapeci Tobeka as saying that medical indicators are positive and the chances of a successful separation are high in such cases, though all possibilities remain until the operation is performed. She added that the twins have not suffered major health issues since birth and continue to grow normally, expressing her gratitude for Saudi Arabia's humanitarian response.