Separated Nigerian Siamese twins take hope back home
By IANSSaturday, July 17, 2010
BANGALORE - Peace and Patience Adugbe, the nine-month-old Nigerian Siamese twins separated after a complex surgery here, have taken back home the hope of similar joy to other Siamese twins in that country. Indian doctors here have been contacted by two other Nigerian couples with conjoined twins.
“The babies are doing fine, though Peace is suffering from hernia problem. The parents are in constant touch with our doctors through phone and emails updating the health of the babies,” K.S. Vasuki, the general manager of the Narayana Hrudayala Women and Child Institute, told IANS.
The successful separation of Peace and Patience, joined at the abdomen and sharing a common liver, small intestine, gall bladder and bilary gland, has already prompted two Nigerian couples with Siamese twins to approach the institute for surgery.
“Two couples have contacted us. We have asked them to send X-ray and other medical reports to evaluate whether operation to separate their twins can be undertaken,” Vasuki said.
Before flying back home with Peace and Patience July 14, their father Emmanuel, an ice-cream factory machine operator in Benin city in Nigeria, told reporters here that there were several cases of conjoined twins in his country.
He expected the media back home to create awareness about the successful operation on his twins so that parents with such twins can avail the medical facilities in India.
Emmanuel said India was known for medical specialists and affordable treatment. “Hence, we opted to come to India. I am happy with my decision.”
Ashley L.J. D’Cruz, the director of the Narayana Hrudayalaya Woman and Child Institute, led the team of 24 doctors to separate Peace and Patience June 7.
