A team of 60 medical professionals in Ankara, Turkey successfully separated 11-month-old Pakistani twin girls, Mirha and Minal, after a complex 14-hour surgery. The girls, born with their heads fused together, were given little hope for survival in their home country of Pakistan. However, the intervention of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and renowned London-based pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Owase Jeelani set in motion a life-saving journey that ultimately led to their separation.
Plea for Help and Presidential Intervention
Unable to find a solution in Pakistan, the twins’ family reached out to Dr. Jeelani, a specialist in conjoined twin surgeries. Dr. Jeelani saw the potential for a successful separation but faced the challenge of high costs in the UK. Moved by the family’s plight, he contacted Turkish President Erdogan, who immediately arranged for the twins’ treatment in Turkey.
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In May 2024, the family arrived in Ankara, where the twins were admitted to Bilkent City Hospital. From there, the medical team began extensive preparations for the delicate and highly risky surgery. The operation was planned in two stages to ensure the best possible outcome.
Two-Stage Surgery with International Collaboration
The final and most crucial stage of the separation took place on July 19, under the leadership of Dr. Jeelani, along with Turkish surgeons Dr. Harun Demirci and Dr. Hasan Murat Ergani. The surgery lasted 14 hours and involved meticulous planning, including the use of balloon tissue expansion to generate extra skin needed to cover the girls’ exposed brains post-separation.
“This was one of the most complex procedures we have undertaken,” said Dr. Jeelani. “When we successfully separated the girls, the entire medical team applauded—a moment none of us will ever forget.”
Dr. Aziz Ahmet Surel, the coordinating chief physician at Bilkent City Hospital, emphasized the international collaboration involved in the process. “The transfer of knowledge and expertise between British and Turkish teams was crucial in making this surgery a success,” he said.
Post-Surgery Recovery and Optimism
Initially, the twins struggled to adjust to being apart. According to Dr. Demirci, the girls were placed in the same room and bed to help ease the transition. Over time, they adapted to their new reality, and their health improved significantly.
Namik Yasar Ozbek, head of the Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at Bilkent City Hospital, praised the extensive teamwork that contributed to the girls’ recovery. “The babies had issues with sitting and hand movements due to their conjoined state. Post-surgery, our neurologists, physical therapists, and neurodevelopmental specialists helped resolve these issues,” he said.
As of late July, the twins are doing well and are expected to be discharged within a few weeks. Their development will be closely monitored over the coming months, with regular follow-up visits to assess brain and bone health.
Grateful Family
Rehan Ali and Nazia Parveen, the girls’ parents, expressed their profound gratitude to President Erdogan, Dr. Jeelani, and the entire medical team. “We are so happy and indebted to everyone who contributed,” said Ali. “We hope to meet President Erdogan personally to thank him.”
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Dr. Jeelani highlighted the broader significance of the surgery, describing it as an example of global unity and cooperation. “This is how the world should be—when children need help, the whole world should come together to provide it.”