Turkish doctors perform successful 14-hour surgery to separate conjoined twins from Pakistan

After family's struggled to find appropriate treatment in Pakistan, the plea reached Turkish President Erdogan.

ANKARA:

A team of 60 medical professionals in Ankara, Turkey, successfully separated 11-month-old conjoined twins from Pakistan in a complex two-stage surgery that lasted approximately 14 hours.

The twin girls, Mirha and Minal, were born with their heads fused.

After their family struggled to find appropriate treatment in Pakistan, their plea for assistance reached Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

London-based paediatric neurosurgeon Owase Jeelani, who learned of the case, reached out to Erdogan, who promised that the twins would receive treatment in Turkey.

The girls arrived in Ankara in May and were placed under close care at Bilkent City Hospital.

Led by Jeelani, Turkish surgeons Dr. Harun Demirci and Dr. Hasan Murat Ergani worked alongside the team to carry out the successful procedure.

The final stage of the surgery, which separated the twins, was completed on July 19.

Dr. Aziz Ahmet Surel, chief physician at Bilkent City Hospital, praised the teamwork and knowledge exchange between Turkish and British teams, expressing joy at the twins' recovery.

“Seeing these babies healthy and smiling after their initial condition is beyond words,” Surel told Anadolu.

Namik Yasar Ozbek, head of the hospital's Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department, emphasised the collaborative effort behind the operation and noted that the twins are now thriving post-surgery.

“They are now using their hands and gaining control of their heads. They will celebrate their first birthdays separately in just ten days,” he said.

Dr. Ergani described the two-part surgery, explaining that a tissue expansion procedure was done prior to the separation to prevent any issues with tissue deficiency.

The second stage involved the separation, which required precise planning to avoid complications.

“When the babies were finally separated, the entire medical team applauded—it was an unforgettable moment,” Ergani added.

The twins’ parents, Rehan Ali and Nazia Parveen, expressed deep gratitude to President Erdogan and the medical team.

They revealed that initial attempts to find treatment in Pakistan were unsuccessful until they connected with Jeelani, who facilitated their treatment in Turkey.

“We are incredibly thankful to everyone who helped. We hope to meet President Erdogan and personally thank him,” Ali said.

Jeelani spoke about the significance of global collaboration, highlighting the role of Turkey in making the surgery possible.

“This is a story of how the world should come together to help children in need,” he said.

Jeelani praised Turkey, the Ministry of Health, and the medical staff for their support, calling the successful surgery an example of global unity and cooperation.