Twin sisters, Dr Hadiya Usman, a medical doctor, and Dr Aidah Usman, a pharmacist, have died days apart after battling sickle cell disease in Yobe State.
Hadiya was undergoing her internship at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Nguru, in Nguru Local Government Area, while her twin sister, Aidah, worked as a pharmacist at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) before their deaths.
The sisters were daughters of the Medical Director of FMC Nguru, Prof Hadiza Abdullahi Usman.
A family member, Ibrahim Auwal, confirmed their deaths to The Telegraph on Monday, saying the sisters died a few days apart.
According to him, Hadiya died on Friday, while Aidah passed away on Sunday after both had battled sickle cell disease.
“It is a very painful development. Hadiya 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 said the deaths had left the family devastated, describing the sisters as hardworking young professionals whose sudden passing shocked their loved ones.
“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.
Hadiya reportedly died on Friday after spending about a week at FMC Nguru, where she was receiving treatment following a sickle cell crisis.
Around the same period, Aidah was also receiving treatment at UMTH but reportedly recovered and was discharged.
However, she later died on Sunday.
The sisters were subsequently buried according to Islamic rites.
