RIYADH, 6 January 2005 - Crown Prince Abdullah visited the Polish Siamese twins who were successfully separated at King Abdul Aziz National Guard Medical City in Riyadh.
“It shows how humane Islam is. It also shows the human face of the Saudi people who are holding fast on their faith. We are only servants of humanity and our people. This is what our religion commands us to do,” Prince Abdullah said after the visit.
He said he was deeply moved when one of the formerly conjoined 14-month-old twins Daria and Olga Kolacz, held his hand. “I saw one of them extending her hand and I held her hand and greeted her. What I have seen today was heartening.” He said the people of Saudi Arabia hold high respect and appreciation for the friendly Polish people.
The Crown Prince was reassured about the condition of the twins who were woke up and had the first suckling in the presence. The twins were earlier moved closer together with both coming into physical contact with each other with a smile moving to their lips and started feeding normally.
The Crown Prince praised the medical team who conducted the operation, led by Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabea. Over the past 15 years the National Guard Hospital in Riyadh conducted nine surgeries of this nature. The first separation took place in 1990.
The Crown Prince was received by Minister of Health, Dr. Hamad Al-Manie, and the Polish ambassador to the Kingdom.
