The first phase of surgery on Nuha and Nuba, eight-month-old conjoined twins who share a spine, has been completed by doctors at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

A team of surgeons and physicians led by Prof Mohammad Hossain, dean of the surgery faculty at BSMMU, conducted the six-hour surgery from 9: 00am on Sunday, according to a press release issued today.

The twins are kept at the High Care Unit of the hospital following the surgery.

"This is a highly complex, sensitive, and time-consuming surgery, and needs multiple surgeries in phases. It also requires specialists from diverse medical fields…We have arranged everything accordingly and the first phase was successful," said Prof Hossain.

Md Alamgir Rana, the father of the twins, is a transport worker and cannot bear the expenses for the medical procedure.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has provided all expenses, said Prof Sharfuddin Ahmed, vice chancellor of BSMMU.

The twins from Kurigram's Kathalbari were admitted to the hospital's Neurosurgery department around six months ago, said Prof Hossain.

On March 21 last year, doctors at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) separated two-year-old conjoined twins Labiba and Lamisa through surgery.