By Danmaryam Zayamu
The National Hospital Abuja (NHA) has successfully separated and discharged a set of conjoined female twins.
The twins were delivered at the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi , conjoined face-to-face at the chest and abdomen, and referred to the National Hospital Abuja, 16 months ago.
Speaking at a media briefing to discharge the separated twins in Abuja, on Tuesday, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, noted that the success was recorded as a result of team work by all professionals that participated in the surgery.
He charged all hospitals in Nigeria, “to also aim higher and emulate this team. The government shall continue to invest in people and strengthen institutions and systems, in this case, tertiary hospitals and our healthcare system.”
The Minister explained that: “The successful outcome of this surgery is thanks to the availability of top experts at National Hospital Abuja, their dedication to the profession, the careful planning, the excellent teamwork and administrative support they received.
“These beautiful girls of Benue State origin, aptly named Goodness and Mercy, and the proud parents, are beneficiaries of a healthcare system, when it functions as it supposed to.
“The case management team has demonstrated that our health system, even with modest resources, can rise up to the highest challenges and offer quality care to find its position among renowned international hospitals.”
Speaking, the Chief Medical Director of National Hospital, Dr Jaf Mommoh, explained that the twins were delivered at the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Nassarawa State on Aug. 13, 2018.
“They have, therefore, been on admission at the hospital for more than 16 months, for care and several diagnostic procedures for a detailed diagnosis in preparation for the surgery.
“The hospital management decided to fund the care and the entire processes leading to the major surgical procedure for the separation as our corporate social responsibility.
“We, therefore, ensured that lack of funds did not stop these beautiful girls from having the opportunity to enjoy their lives independently.”
