A team of 60 medical professionals in Ankara, Türkiye, has successfully separated 11-month-old conjoined twins from Pakistan, named Mirha and Minal, after a long and complex surgery that lasted 14 hours. The twins were born with their heads fused together, a rare and serious medical condition that could not be treated in Pakistan.
The family of the twins desperately sought help, and their plea caught the attention of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. They were able to reach him through the efforts of Dr. Owase Jeelani, a well-known pediatric neurosurgeon based in London. After hearing about the situation from Dr. Jeelani, President Erdoğan promised that Türkiye would provide the necessary medical care for the twins.
In May, Mirha and Minal were brought to Bilkent City Hospital in Ankara, where they were placed under the careful supervision of a team of doctors. The surgeries to separate the twins were carried out in two stages, with the final operation taking place on July 19. This 14-hour surgery, led by Dr. Jeelani in partnership with Turkish doctors Dr. Harun Demirci and Dr. Hasan Murat Ergani, was successful in separating the twins, who were conjoined at the skull.
This remarkable achievement highlights the advanced healthcare services available in Türkiye and demonstrates the power of international cooperation in solving complex medical challenges. The story of Mirha and Minal’s successful surgery is a reminder of what can be accomplished when skilled professionals from around the world work together to save lives.
