Pakistani conjoined twins Mirha and Minal were brought to Turkey for treatment upon the instructions of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The 8-month-old babies, who were conjoined at the head, were separated in a 14-hour surgery performed by a team of 60 people at Bilkent City Hospital. The babies, who regained their health after the successful operation, will celebrate their first birthday separately.
Conjoined Twins Brought to Turkey
Born in Pakistan twins conjoined at the head, Turkey did not remain indifferent to the call of their families who could not find treatment in their own country. President Erdoğan gave the order to bring the babies to Turkey after he was contacted by the famous pediatric neurosurgeon Prof. Dr. Noor Ul Owase Jeelani in London, known for his operations to separate conjoined twins. The babies were treated at Bilkent City Hospital in May with the organization of the Ministry of Health.
Two-Stage Surgery to Separate Twins
The operation process was conducted by Prof. Dr. Owase Jeelani and Bilkent City HospitalThe operation was carried out by a team of 60 people under the leadership of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Harun Demirci and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Murat Ergani from the Department of Internal Medicine. The operation to separate the attached area on the heads of the twins was performed in a two-stage operation. In the first stage, a balloon tissue expansion procedure was applied and a material was placed to fill the tissue deficiency. Afterwards, the babies were successfully separated in a 14-hour surgery on July 19.
They Will Celebrate Their First Birthday Separately
After the surgery, the twins’ health conditions were closely monitored. Stating that the babies’ recovery process was progressing positively, Children’s Hospital Chief Physician Prof. Dr. Namık Yaşar Özbek said, “Our babies have started to use their hands and arms and can control their heads. They will celebrate their first birthday separately in 10 days.” he said.
Challenging Process, Great Success
Doctors who took part in the operation said that this process was unforgettable. Pediatric neurosurgeon Assoc. Prof. Dr. Harun Demirci said that the preparations started at 06:00 on the day of the operation. The surgery lasted 14 hours stated that the operation was completed successfully and the babies were in good health. Plastic surgeon Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Murat Ergani touched on the risky parts of the operation and emphasized that it is very important to protect the brain tissue during the operation.
Family Thanks President Erdoğan
The babies’ father, Rehan Ali, expressed his great happiness and gratitude for the help Turkey has provided them, and thanked President Erdoğan and all the healthcare workers who contributed to the surgery. “The moment I saw my babies separately was incredible, we are so happy,” he said, adding that they wanted to meet Erdoğan and thank him. Mother Nazia Parveen also expressed her satisfaction.
This operation was an indication of Turkey’s success in the field of health and the support it provides to children in need around the world.
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