Press Conference by the Honorable Minister of Health on the discharge of Conjoined Twins separated at the National Hospital Abuja

By Muhyiddeen Hayatuddeen

Minister of Health;, Dr. Osagie Ehanire conducted a press briefing at the Trauma Centre of the National Hospital Abuja on the discharge of the successful separation of conjoined twins at the chest and abdomen on the 7th of January 2020.

The conference had in attendance Minister of State for Health; Olorunnimbe Mamora, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health; Abdullahi Mashi, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development; Mrs. Pauline Tallen, Chief Medical Director; Dr. JAF Momoh, DC-MAC; Dr. Aisha Umar, Director of Administration; Dr. Peter Egwakhide, Director of Finance; Mal. Abdulaziz Ibrahim, Director of Maintenance; Engr. Agboola Ola, Heads of departments, Surgeons, Doctors, Nurses of the National Hospital and Gentlemen of the Press.

In his speech, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, commended the hospital for the team work, detailed planning, dedication, and excellent support by the management.

Before Separation

Dr. Osagie said that the National Hospital Abuja has demonstrated dedication to their work and the present administration is commended as well as the Chief Medical Director Dr. JAF Momoh. “The government shall continue to invest and strengthen health sector. National Hospital took it as a responsibility to support patients. Goodness and Mercy came as one but are going home as two”.

According to Dr. Osagie,: “The management team has demonstrated that our health system, even with the modest resources can rise up to the highest challenges and offer quality care, to find its position among renowned international hospital.”

After Separation

Also speaking, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora, the Minister of State for Health attributed the success of the surgery to God and the team spirit demonstrated by the surgical team and also urged them to do more to address other surgical problems.

In her remarks, Dr. Mariya Mukhar-yola, Chief Consultant Pediatrician, Head of Neonatology said the babies (girls) Goodness and Mercy were received conjoined at the thorax and abdomen and combined weighted five kg. Mukhar-yola said. “Major activities done prior to surgery included infection control, feeding, fluid therapy, immunization, monitoring growth and development and controlling crowd’’.

Dr. JAF Momoh CMD/CEO of the National Hospital said the hospital has funded the care and the entire process leading to and the major surgical procedure for the separation based on the assessment of the parents status and classification as indigent. National Hospital ensured that lack of fund did not stop the girls from having an opportunity to enjoy their lives independently.

Together with the Minister

Dr. Haastrup, the PRO of the National Hospital Abuja said: “We are just happy and proud that the team that worked on this surgery were all Nigerians. It was done in Nigeria and the parents didn’t have to go outside the country”.