Twin sisters, Dr Hadiya Usman, a medical doctor, and Dr Aidah Usman, a pharmacist, have passed away a few days apart following a battle with sickle cell in Yobe State.
Before their deaths, Hadiya was serving her internship at the Federal Medical Centre, Nguru, located in the Nguru Local Government Area of the state, while her twin sister, Aidah, worked as a pharmacist at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
The sisters were the daughters of Prof. Hadiza Abdullahi Usman, the medical director of the Federal Medical Centre, Nguru.
Ibrahim Auwal, a relative of the deceased, confirmed the deaths on Monday, stating that the twin sisters passed away a few days apart.
According to him, Hadiyah was the first to die on Friday, while her twin sister, Aidah, passed away on Sunday, after both had battled sickle cell disease.
“It is a very painful development. Hadiyah passed away on Friday, and Aidah followed on Sunday. Both sisters had been battling sickle cell disease, and their deaths are a great loss, particularly to their family, friends, and colleagues,” he said.
Auwal stated that the losses had shattered the family, characterizing the sisters as diligent young professionals whose deaths came as a shock to those close to them.
“We are deeply saddened by what has happened. Losing the two sisters within just a few days has been extremely painful for the family. They were both dedicated to their professions and had promising futures ahead of them,” he said.
Hadiyah passed away on Friday, having been admitted to FMC Nguru for roughly a week after suffering a sickle cell crisis.
Around that same time, her twin sister Aidah was undergoing treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, but she reportedly recovered and was discharged.
Aidah, however, died later on Sunday.
According to reports, the sisters were buried in accordance with Islamic rites.
