Mother of conjoined twins waiting for separation surgery

Although an exact date is yet to be finalised for surgery, Iesha McMurray, mother of conjoined twins, said she is breathing a huge sigh of relief that they are huge steps closer to getting the procedure done.

The 19-month-old girls, Azaria and Azora, along with McMurray, are currently in Saudi Arabia where they are expected to undergo evaluation surgery at King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital in Riyadh.

"I am super and extremely happy. I have prayed for help since they were born and now it is finally happening. I don't know when exactly the surgery will be yet though," said McMurray.

Azaria and Azora, who are joined at the abdomen, were born at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital in Kingston via C-section on November 7, 2023. They share some abdominal skin, an umbilical cord, as well as parts of their gastrointestinal tract. The duo had been admitted to the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) since they were born. Similar to Jamaica, McMurray said the girls are capturing and melting hearts of those they encounter in Saudi Arabia.

"The journey to Saudi Arabia was long, but they did it. The girls are doing good and they are saying 'Mama' now, one time it was only 'Dadda'. They are also saying other little words, and of course, twin one is still acting like she is the oldest. Dem a just the sweetest," she said.

Earlier this month, doctors at the children's hospital in Saudi Arabia successfully separated 17-month old Syrian conjoined twins, Selin and Elin. The arrangements for Azaria and Azora were made possible through the intervention of Jamaica's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Affairs Trade which facilitated dialogue between the UHWI and officials of the government of Saudi Arabia.