Separation surgery of Kandhamal conjoined twins begins at AIIMS

Bhubaneswar/New Delhi: The separation surgery on Kandhamal conjoined twins, Honey and Singh, began at AIIMS, New Delhi, on Monday. The operation is being conducted by a team of 40 doctors, including an expert from Japan.
“The twins were taken to the operation theatre at 4.45 am. A 40-member team of doctors, including neuro surgeons, general surgeons, paediatricians, plastic surgeons and cardiologist, has been formed for the rare surgery. We have also engaged an expert from Japan in the work. The operation started at 9 am,” said Health Minister Pratap Jena.
The conjoined twins, who hail from the remote Milipada village under Phiringia block in tribal-dominated Kandhamal district, have been in AIIMS since July 13 after initial check-up at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
Earlier, AIIMS neurosurgery department head Prof Ashok Mohapatra had informed the media that a team of doctors would be formed for their treatment and the surgery undertaken only after the experts felt that condition of the twins was suitable and the operation feasible.
Odisha government had provided Rs 1 crore financial assistance while Kandhamal administration gave Rs 1 lakh for their surgery. The Collector had also requested all government employees to donate a day’s salary for their treatment. Apart from this, the state Health Department has also assured to facilitate their treatment and bear all the expenses of the family at AIIMS.
Meanwhile, chief minister Naveen Patnaik spoke to Dr Mohapatra over phone in the afternoon and enquired about the health of the conjoined twins.