There has been jubilation in the air over a successful separation of conjoined twins in Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Yola, Adamawa State.
The surgery was performed by the duo of the FMC Yola and FMC Yenagoa.
Dr Dennis Alagoa, Chief Medical Director of FMC Yenagoa said that a team of pediatric surgeons and healthcare experts from the two medical institutions collaborated to achieve the feat.
Alagoa disclosed this when he received the babies: Grace Ayebaiyeni and Mercy Ayebaiyeni, born to Mr and Mrs Raphael Ayebaiyeni, on arrival at the Bayelsa International Airport on Sunday.
He said that the Nigerian Air Force provided logistics for medical evacuation of the family from Yenagoa to Yola.
“The babies were delivered through caesarian section on Dec. 12, 2019, at the General Hospital, Nembe, here in Bayelsa and subsequently referred to FMC Yenagoa.
“They were cared for at the Special Baby Care Unit and the twins were joined at the stomach in the liver.
“We evaluated the situation and in the best interest of the babies ; we opted to collaborate with FMC Yola where a successful exercise had been conducted in 2018.
”Our surgeons and the lead surgeon from FMC Yola carried out the task.
“The surgery lasted about three hours and the recovery of the babies was fast and smooth, by the next day, they were already eating.
“We applaud the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, for his swift intervention by making available an aircraft and other logistics for medical evacuation of the babies alongside their parents and the medical team to and from Yola.
“The entire surgery which runs into several millions of naira was performed free of charge.
“We therefore appeal to the Bayelsa government to assist the family with job placement to guarantee the upkeep of the twins,” he said.
The twins also received a cash gift of N1million from Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrujakpo, who received them on arrival.
Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, has commended the Chief Medical Director of FMC Yola,Prof Awwal Muhammad on the success of the operation.
Mustapha noted that the success has made Adamawa State and the hospital proud as a centre for medical excellence in the country.
“l will try to talk to the federal government so that we can honour you; surely your labour will not go in vein,” he said.
