They are doing fine

Tofa and Tahura given liquid food, seen playing with their mother

The conjoined twins who underwent a critical surgery at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Tuesday are doing fine. Their condition continues to improve, said hospital sources yesterday.

The two babies—Tofa and Tahura—are now in the paediatric intensive care unit (ICU) of the DMCH. They were given liquid food and seen playing with their mother. They may have to stay in the ICU for 10 more days. The toddlers have been kept in a small ICU antechamber on the hospital’s third floor, doctors said.

The twins, however, are still not out of danger as they remain vulnerable to infections after undergoing the prolonged operation. But there is no other risk, said the doctors.

“We've visited the twins today (Wednesday). They are fine and responding well to their mother,” said Dr Ashraful Huq.

The twins are being given only water and milk along with saline. They are likely to be given solid food from today.

Dr Huq, head of the paediatric surgery department at the DMCH, said the babies would require two to three more surgeries after six months for the creation of separate uteruses and excretory organs.

Through the operation, the babies have been given an alternative system for bowels clearance. “We’ll go for a surgery after six months, depending on the infants’ health, to prepare their own anus and uterus,” Dr Huq said.

“Two months after the second operation, we’ll go for another surgery to remove the alternative system from their anus and uterus,” he added.

Dr Abdul Hanif Tablu also said that infection is the only threat the babies face at the moment.

Meanwhile, at a press briefing, Dr Shahnoor Islam, associate professor of paediatric surgery at the DMCH, also spoke about the requirement of three more surgeries for the babies.

She also underscored the risk of infection faced by the twins.

The doctor said the infants are being kept in a wing of the ICU, where only one visitor is allowed in order to prevent chances of infection. Their mother Shahida is breastfeeding them, she added.

DMCH director Brig. Gen. Mizanur Rahman sought the countrymen’s blessings for the children’s recovery and well-being.  The DMCH is bearing all the expenditure of the treatment.

Earlier, on Tuesday, a group of 16 doctors had successfully separated the conjoined twins by performing an operation that lasted for seven-and-a-half hours.

The twins regained their consciousness a few hours after the operation.

They are doing fine

Tofa and Tahura given liquid food, seen playing with their mother

The conjoined twins who underwent a critical surgery at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Tuesday are doing fine. Their condition continues to improve, said hospital sources yesterday. The two babiesTofa and Tahuraare now in the paediatric intensive care unit (ICU) of the DMCH. They were given liquid food and seen playing with their mother. They may have to stay in the ICU for 10 more days. The toddlers have been kept in a small ICU antechamber on the hospitals third floor, doctors said. The twins, however, are still not out of danger as they remain vulnerable to infections after undergoing the prolonged operation. But there is no other risk, said the doctors. Weve visited the twins today (Wednesday). They are fine and responding well to their mother, said Dr Ashraful Huq. The twins are being given only water and milk along with saline. They are likely to be given solid food from today. Dr Huq, head of the paediatric surgery department at the DMCH, said the babies would require two to three more surgeries after six months for the creation of separate uteruses and excretory organs. Through the operation, the babies have been given an alternative system for bowels clearance. Well go for a surgery after six months, depending on the infants health, to prepare their own anus and uterus, Dr Huq said. Two months after the second operation, well go for another surgery to remove the alternative system from their anus and uterus, he added. Dr Abdul Hanif Tablu also said that infection is the only threat the babies face at the moment. Meanwhile, at a press briefing, Dr Shahnoor Islam, associate professor of paediatric surgery at the DMCH, also spoke about the requirement of three more surgeries for the babies. She also underscored the risk of infection faced by the twins. The doctor said the infants are being kept in a wing of the ICU, where only one visitor is allowed in order to prevent chances of infection. Their mother Shahida is breastfeeding them, she added. DMCH director Brig. Gen. Mizanur Rahman sought the countrymens blessings for the childrens recovery and well-being. The DMCH is bearing all the expenditure of the treatment. Earlier, on Tuesday, a group of 16 doctors had successfully separated the conjoined twins by performing an operation that lasted for seven-and-a-half hours. The twins regained their consciousness a few hours after the operation.