Turkish doctors separate conjoined Pakistani twins after 14-hour surgery
1. 60 medical professionals conduct surgery at Ankara hospital after President Erdogan responded to family's plea for help
Pakistani twins Mirha and Minal, who were born with their heads fused together, have been successfully separated by a team of 60 medical professionals in Turkey following a marathon 14-hour surgery conducted in two phases, according to the state-run Anadolu news agency.
The complex procedure took place at Bilkent City Hospital in Ankara, after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan responded to the family's urgent plea for help, as they were unable to find suitable treatment in Pakistan.
Renowned London-based pediatric neurosurgeon Owase Jeelani contacted Erdogan regarding the twins, and the Turkish president assured Jeelani that the babies' treatment would be carried out in Turkey, Anadolu reported.
The 11-month-old girls arrived in the Turkish capital in May, where they were placed under close medical supervision. On July 19, the final 14-hour surgery was performed by a team led by Dr. Jeelani, alongside Turkish physicians Dr. Harun Demirci and Dr. Hasan Murat Ergani.
Highlighting the importance of teamwork, Namik Yasar Ozbek, head of the hospital's Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, told Anadolu, "The babies had difficulty sitting and moving their hands due to their conjoined condition."
"After surgery, our neurologists, physical therapists, and neurodevelopmental specialists addressed these challenges," he added.
"The twins are now doing very well, beginning to use their hands and arms, and gaining control of their heads. In 10 days, they will celebrate their first birthdays separately," Ozbek said.
Turkish physician Ergani, who was part of the surgical team, shared his joy: "Seeing the babies healthy is an incredible feeling. When we successfully separated them, the entire medical team applauded. It was one of the most memorable moments of my life."
The twins' parents, Rehan Ali and Nazia Parveen, expressed their deep gratitude to President Erdogan, the medical team, and everyone involved in their children's recovery.
"We are incredibly happy and forever indebted to everyone who helped," said the father, adding that they hope to meet President Erdogan in person to thank him.
