A pair of Nigerian sisters born joined at the head have been separated after a series of surgeries in Abu Dhabi, in what doctors say was a one-in-10 million survival and treatment story.
Mercy and Goodness, aged 15 months, were born with their heads joined at the top, with fused skulls and intertwined brain tissue and blood vessels.
Over six months, the girls underwent four surgeries at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City involving more than 60 doctors and clinicians from the UAE, UK, Brazil and Nigeria. The team included neurosurgeons, craniofacial surgeons, paediatricians, anaesthetists, nurses, radiologists and rehabilitation therapists.
Gemini Untwined, a charity specialising in research and treatment of craniopagus twins, played what was described as a key role in coordinating the effort and bringing clinical expertise to Abu Dhabi.
Doctors used imaging technology, augmented reality simulations and 3D printing to map the twins’ vascular and neural systems. After the separation, surgeons reconstructed their skulls using custom 3D-printed titanium grafts.
The girls are recovering in the UAE and undergoing rehabilitation to develop motor skills and adapt to independent movement before returning to Nigeria.
Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation, called it “a medical milestone”.
“This is more than a medical milestone; it is a story of compassion, courage, and global collaboration, a reflection of Abu Dhabi’s unwavering commitment to delivering healthcare that transforms lives,” she said.
“We are proud to have facilitated this global collaboration and to have hosted it in our country, where world-class talent and cutting-edge innovation come together to deliver hope.”
According to figures shared by Great Ormond Street Hospital in the UK, conjoined twins account for one in every 2.5 million births. Only 5 percent of conjoined twins are craniopagus, where the siblings are joined by the head.
About 40 percent of twins fused at the head are stillborn or die during labour, while a further third die within 24 hours. The chance of craniopagus twins surviving long enough to undergo surgery is about one in 10 million births.
Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health, said the surgeries showed the strength of the capital’s medical sector.
“This achievement adds to the sector’s distinguished track record, serving as a testament to our global healthcare excellence, particularly in managing the most complex medical conditions,” he said.
Farhan Malik, founder and managing director of PureHealth Group, which operates SKMC, said staff provided constant care before and after the operations.
“Our teams on the ground worked day and night, not only in the pre and during surgery phase, but also on the 24/7 monitoring and support that was needed to ensure the best post care and rehab was given,” he said.
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