July Homecoming For Odisha Twins Jaga & Kalia Post-Separation

New Delhi: Authorities of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, have begun the process of discharging separated conjoined twins Jaga-Kalia. The two are expected to return to Odisha by the second week of July.

A final decision to this effect will be taken at a high-level meeting between AIIMS and state government health officials here on June 29.

AIIMS authorities had on May 31 told mediapersons that since there has been a substantial improvement in the health condition of Jaga and Kalia, there is no need to keep them in the ICU or a special ward. While Jaga has completely recovered, Kalia, who was earlier given food through a feeding tube, has started taking food through the mouth.

AIIMS authorities also said that the Odisha government has suggested that they send the twins to Odisha by end of June, accompanied by doctors and the nurse presently looking after them.

The state government had sought a detailed report on their present health condition and treatment, the AIIMS authorities said.

Admitted in the AIIMS in July 2017, the twins from Milipada village in Kandhamal district were successfully separated in an 11-hour marathon surgery by a team of 30 specialists from neurosurgery, neuro-anaesthesia and plastic surgery departments on October 25, 2017.

A month after the surgery, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had met the separated conjoined twins on November 26, 2017, and prayed for their speedy recovery.