Gaibandha conjoined twins: Tahura doing well

Tahura, one of the separated conjoined twins from Gaibandha, who was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) earlier this month due to various physical complications, is now out of danger.

“Tohura has overcome the problems she was encountering since around their first birthday on September 29.” Professor Shahnoor Islam of DMCH’s Paediatrics Surgery department told The Daily Star.

Also read: Tofa, Tahura being taken to DMCH

Tahura had fever and nausea, lost weight, and could only be breast-fed. The twins were brought to DMCH on October 9 after being referred by doctors at Gaibandha General Hospital.

“Tahura has been better since Monday, six days after she was admitted to DMCH” said Shahida Begum, the mother of the babies.

Tahura looked healthy and was playful when our staff correspondent visited them in the hospital last night.

Read more: Gaibandha conjoined twins: Tohura not out of danger, says doctor

The babies were born on September 29 last year in a remote village in Paschim Dinia of Sundarganj upazila with the help of a local midwife. Shahida and her husband Raju Mia were not aware of having twins, since Shahida did not go through any ultrasonography (USG) procedure during her pregnancy.

Confused, the couple did not know what to do in such a situation. After five days, they took the conjoined twins to Gaibandha Sadar Hospital as their abdomens started to swell failing to pass stool. The hospital authorities referred the babies to DMCH the next day.

As the babies were too sensitive to undergo a major surgery, the DMCH doctors then conducted surgeries in the abdomens for letting the stool pass for the time being. The couple were then instructed to bring back the babies to the hospital when they turn six months old.

After six months, the babies were admitted to the hospital again. But the condition was still not favourable for conducting a surgery. Therefore, the doctors sent them back. Later on July 15, the couple got the twins admitted to the hospital after the doctors gave them the go-ahead.

After months of preparation, fear, and sleepless night, on August 1, a team of physicians led by Professor Dr Ashraful Huq conducted major surgical operation on Tofa and Tahura and separated the twin sisters.

After the surgical treatment, Tofa and Tahura returned to her grandfather’s home on September 10 and were staying there. On September 29, the birthday of the babies was observed where physicians from DMCH, Sundarganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer and others were present.