Advancing healthcare for conjoined twins and children with disabilities
A call to action from KSrelief and UNICEF
Advancing inclusive healthcare for all
As we gather at the Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum, KSrelief and UNICEF reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every child – regardless of their circumstances – has the right to health, dignity and inclusion.
The recent designation of 24 November as the International Day of Conjoined Twins by the United Nations General Assembly is a crucial step towards raising awareness and strengthening global efforts to support children with complex medical needs. Conjoined twins face extraordinary health challenges, requiring specialized medical expertise, long-term care and social inclusion. Their experiences also highlight broader issues faced by children with disabilities worldwide – barriers to equitable healthcare, inclusive education and the right to fully participate in society without discrimination.
A call for creative collaboration
Addressing these challenges requires new ways of thinking and working together. We encourage governments, medical institutions, civil society and international organizations to:
Advance inclusion and awareness: Leveraging 24 November as a platform to promote awareness campaigns, educational programmes and advocacy initiatives that combat stigma and foster understanding of conjoined twins and children with disabilities.
Innovate through medical and social collaboration: Strengthening global networks of surgeons, researchers, ethicists and disability advocates to improve access to specialized care and ethical decision-making and data collection to inform best practices.
Empower families with holistic support: Providing not only medical care but also psychological, financial and social support for families navigating complex medical conditions.
Strengthen equitable healthcare systems for all: Expanding universal health coverage to ensure that every child, including those with complex medical needs, has access to specialized pediatric and rehabilitative care, free from discrimination or barriers to inclusion.
True progress will come through creative partnerships and cross-sector collaboration. Medical expertise must work hand-in-hand with social inclusion efforts. Innovation must be driven by compassion. And every effort must centre the voices of children and families themselves.
While challenges remain, we know that solutions are possible when we work together. KSrelief and UNICEF stand ready to partner with all who share this vision. Let us seize this opportunity to drive real change – so that every child, without exception, can live with dignity, enjoy equal opportunities and fully participate in society without discrimination.