Doctors at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) have successfully separated 15-month-old conjoined twins, Rifa and Shifa, following a marathon 10-hour surgery.
The hospital announced the surgery's success during a press conference on Monday at DMCH auditorium. Rifa has recovered well, while her sister Shifa is currently in the intensive care unit (ICU) due to heart-related complications.
The surgery was carried out on September 7 by a group of doctors from DMCH.
Prof Sahnur Islam from the paediatric surgery department stated that both twins were placed on ventilators post-surgery. Rifa was taken off the ventilator on September 8, and Shifa was taken off on September 9. However, Shifa has required additional treatment for heart issues and complications with her breast.
Their mother, Mahmuda, first contacted DMCH on June 14. The twins were admitted on June 21, and after a month of nutritional care, they were cleared for surgery.
Prof Sahnur Islam noted that the twins shared several organs, complicating the procedure, but the outcomes have been positive.
DMCH Director Brig Gen Md Asaduzzaman praised the surgical team's dedication, calling it a significant challenge. The twins' father, Badsha Howlader, who works in a garment factory, expressed gratitude for the support and financial assistance from the hospital staff.
Mahmuda gave birth to the twins via caesarean section on June 7 of last year. The family from Barguna's Betagi also has a six-year-old daughter.
