Suryakant Jena

Bhubaneswar: Separated conjoined twins of Odisha Jaga and Kalia who had been undergoing treatment at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi since last two years following their rare successful cranial separation surgery, will finally return to Odisha on September 7.

State Health Minister Naba Das today informed that the twins will be discharged from Delhi AIIMS on September 6 and brought to Odisha through New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express on September 7.

Later they will be admitted for treatment under the supervision of a team of doctors inside a special cabin set up in Cuttack SCB Medical College and Hospital.

A team of doctors from AIIMS, parents of the twins and officials of Odisha Bhawan in Delhi will also accompany Jaga and Kalia to Odisha. The State government has made extensive arrangements for the return of Jaga and Kalia in safe and sound condition and will also oversee the full treatment of the twins in Cuttack SCB till they become fit, informed Das.

Born to Bhuan Kanhar and Puspanjali Kanhar of Milipada in Kandhamal district, the twins, suffering from a rare craniopagus disorder, were admitted for treatment to Delhi AIIMS on July 13, 2017 with the help of Odisha government.

A team of doctors performed two phases of marathon cranial separation surgeries on August 28 and October 25, 2017 to separate the conjoined twins at the institute. But due to susceptible health condition, the duo was undergoing treatment at the AIIMS for nearly two years.

Ashok Mohapatra, former HOD of neurosurgery department at AIIMS, New Delhi, who played a very pivotal role in the separation of the twins said that he welcomed the State government's decision to shift Jaga and Kalia and take responsibility for their care.

"Their most basic requirement is nursing and pediatrics apart from neurological treatment. Jaga does not need special healthcare apart from a pediatrician, but Kalia might need special treatment which can be easily provided in the SCB," said Mohapatra.

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