Once-conjoined twins, raised by hosp, turn 13

Mumbai: Abandoned by their parents, Riddhi and Siddhi, conjoined twins at birth, were separated in a complex surgery, and raised by staff of Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children, Parel. On Thursday, the hospital celebrated their 13th birthday with doctors and staff who cared for them over the past decade.Dr Minnie Bodhanwala, CEO of Wadia Hospital, said the twins were raised through donations."Contributions of the hospital staff and other donors ensured their educational as well as other needs were met," she said.Both Riddhi and Siddhi were provided housing on the hospital campus and looked after by nurses. They received physiotherapy daily, medical and psychological check-ups were done. "They are so inspired by the care they've received that they have been expressing a desire to become nurses," Dr Bodhanwala added.The twins were born to a couple from Panvel and were abandoned at the hospital soon after a complex surgical procedure that lasted over 30 hours. Their condition is called ischiopagus, a rare form of conjoined twinning where two infants are joined at the pelvis, often sharing lower abdominal organs and sometimes limbs.Paediatric surgeon Dr Pradnya Bendre, who operated on them, said they are now surrounded by doctors any time the need arises. "The children have come a long way. Some of their deformities can never be corrected, but they are managed well. They still do not have full control over certain gastrointestinal issues," she said. She added, "Their future looks bright, they're good at academics. Their kidney function is normal so far. We will learn more about their health as they grow, but at their current trajectory, we expect them to live long lives with certain disabilities." —Eshan Kalyanikar