Abu Dhabi has successfully hosted the surgical separation of 15-month-old Nigerian conjoined twins, Mercy and Goodness, in one of the most complex procedures of its kind. The life-saving surgeries were performed at SEHA – Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), part of PureHealth, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global leader in advanced healthcare and humanitarian medical care.
Born with their heads joined at the top, fused skulls, and intertwined brain tissue and blood vessels, the twins underwent a carefully planned treatment journey spanning more than six months. The process involved four major surgeries and the collaboration of over 60 healthcare professionals from the UAE, UK, Brazil, and Nigeria, including neurosurgeons, craniofacial surgeons, paediatricians, anaesthetists, nurses, radiologists, and rehabilitation specialists.
The surgeries were supported by advanced technologies such as cutting-edge imaging, augmented reality simulations, virtual reality collaboration, and 3D printing. These innovations enabled medical teams across multiple countries to map the twins’ complex vascular and neural systems with exceptional precision.
A key partner in the project was Gemini Untwined, a charity dedicated to the treatment and research of craniopagus twins, which helped coordinate international expertise throughout the process. Following the successful separation, the twins’ skulls were reconstructed using custom 3D-printed titanium implants.
The surgical team was led by Professor Noor Ul Owase Jeelani, Founder of Gemini Untwined and Consultant Paediatric Neurosurgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. The procedure also incorporated advanced techniques, including AI-enhanced surgical planning and mixed reality-guided implant design, setting a new benchmark in complex paediatric neurosurgery.
This landmark achievement highlights Abu Dhabi’s growing role in delivering world class healthcare, fostering international medical collaboration, and providing life-changing treatment for patients from around the world.
