Conjoined Twins

I have just come across some lovely news on BBC News website and thought I would share it with you.

It is of conjoined twins, Rosie and Ruby being successfully separated. They were born on the 26^th July and had their surgery the day after. Rosie and Ruby were joined at their abdomen where they shared a part of the intestine.

Rosie and Ruby

Both girls are now at home with their parents, Mr and Mrs Formosa are happy and relieved to have them home.

It is really good to hear stories with a happy outcome like this as there are other conjoined twins who are unfortunately aren’t as lucky.

Conjoined twins, Saba and Farah from Patna in India have immersed the attention of India and the country’s Supreme Court by ordering the government to help them. The court has ordered the Bihar government to treat the girls at a top government hospital but the twin’s family has refused.

They are scared for endangering the girls’ lives which has raised questions about their uncertain future.

Saba and Farah are joined at the head, they share an artery that carries blood to their hearts and while Farah has two kidneys, Saba has none.

With a lack of financial help and the twins’ health deteriorating, the family of ten are slowly losing patience. They live in a thin walled, two roomed building with a tin roof above their father’s shop which is their only source of income.

Due to the deteriorating health, sadly the girls are unable to do everyday tasks such as having baths or household chores or even visiting their grandmother.

In 2005, Abu Dhabi’s own prince, Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan offered to bear the costs of the surgery but again the family refused.

Both of the girls have aspirations, Saba aiming to be a doctor so she can help children like herself and Farah wants to be a teacher.

Bollywood actor,  Salman Khan who the twins are avid fans of, invited them to his home and gifted them 50,000 rupees (£580) in cash on Raksha Bandhan, an Indian festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. The girls have hopes pinned that he will help them more financially but are unable to reach him.

The family want the state government to help pay them a monthly allowance to take care of the girls’ medical needs and diet.

Their mother is frustrated with the lack of help and broken promises.

I feel this is a very sad case and makes you realise how fortunate we are to live with free health care and living in a proper home. I just hope that the girls do get some help and have chances to fulfil their dreams.