UK hospital to help surgically separate conjoined twins

A team of doctors from the UK's Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) have finally given the nod to separate conjoined sisters Veena and Vani, who have been living in Niloufer Children’s Hospital here for almost nine years.

The team of doctors, who visited the government-run hospital on Saturday following a request by the Telangana government, said that they are confident that the sisters could be separated successfully.

However, they might have to undergo 10-15 surgeries in a phased manner in the UK, as post-operative care is better there. Niloufer said that UK team opined that the process might take 280 days.  The surgeries will involve teams from different countries, with expertise in different areas of separation of conjoined twins.

An elated Dr Ramesh, Professor-Surgeon at Niloufer, said he would send a formal report, along with the UK doctors’ opinion, to state Health Minister Dr Laxma Reddy for a final decision, so the sisters’ and their parents' travel plans could be made.

“The whole exercise will require Rs 6-7 crore as we have to make arrangements for the nurse who has been attending to the children,” he added.

For eight years, Veena and Vani had been confined to a small room at Niloufer as their parents refused to take them home for fear of being ostracised.

In 2012, after a team of doctors from Singapore declined to take them for surgery, the tin's parents N Murali and Nagalakshmi told the doctors they could not afford to take care of the girls due to their special needs, which require constant attention.

“We refused to take them home at that time as we are poor and have two more daughters,” said Murali, a casual labourer from the Beerusettigudem village in the Warangal district, of Telangana.   “I have signed the consent form for the operation, whatever the consequence,” he said.

Nine-year-old Veena and Vani told reporters they are happy the way they are, and would not like to leave Niloufer as its is their home.