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Muhammad Rosli battles cancer 20 years after historic conjoined twin surgery at Riyadh Hospital
RIYADH: More than 20 years after he was separated from his twin brother in a marathon surgery that captured national attention, Muhammad Rosli has returned to the same hospital in Saudi Arabia — not for a reunion, but to battle a rare form of cancer.
Over the past eight months, Muhammad has undergone five surgeries and five rounds of chemotherapy.
He is now in recovery and receiving follow-up treatment at the same hospital.
Born as conjoined twins, Muhammad and Ahmad made headlines across Malaysia in 2001 when they underwent a liver separation procedure at the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC).
In September 2002, the pair were finally separated in a 22-hour-and-45-minute operation at King Fahd National Guard Hospital in Riyadh.
It was reported that Muhammad travelled to Riyadh last November after receiving an invitation to attend the 2024 International Conjoined Twins Conference, which brought together 40 sets of twins from around the world.
He said he began experiencing difficulty urinating several weeks before departing for Saudi Arabia and received treatment in Malaysia, eventually recovering in time for the trip.
"On the first day of the conference, the issue returned and I was rushed to the hospital for treatment. Further examinations revealed bladder stones that required surgery.
"During the procedure to remove the stones, doctors discovered a rare tumour in my bladder.
"Although I was given the option to return to Malaysia for treatment, I chose to stay at the same hospital that had successfully separated me from my brother," he said.
Muhammad, who was accompanied by his father throughout the ordeal, said he had to undergo five rounds of chemotherapy, once every two weeks.
"After the fifth round, doctors found that the tumour hadn't responded well to treatment. I felt quite down, knowing I would have to remain in Saudi Arabia for longer.
"Following the doctors' advice, I underwent a nine-hour surgery in May to remove the tumour and bladder," he said.
However, days after the operation,
Muhammad developed complications in his intestines and had to undergo three additional surgeries within a week.
"For the next five weeks, I had to be fed through a needle to avoid further intestinal issues. It was only two days ago that I was finally able to eat normally again," he said.
Muhammad expressed gratitude that all his treatment, accommodation and transport in Saudi Arabia were fully sponsored by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief).
"The doctors provided excellent care, and Malaysian nurses working at the hospital constantly checked on me and even brought Malaysian food to ease my homesickness.
"I'm now slowly recovering and am expected to be discharged soon. I really can't wait to return to Malaysia, I miss my family and the food back home," he said.
