Turkish doctors have successfully separated 11-month-old Pakistani twins, Mirha and Minal, who were conjoined at the head. This complex operation, carried out over 14 hours in two stages, was led by a team of 60 medical professionals at Bilkent City Hospital in Ankara, Turkiye.
The family’s search for help initially seemed hopeless, as no treatment was available in Pakistan. However, their plea reached Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who ensured that their daughters would receive the necessary treatment. London-based neurosurgeon Dr. Owase Jeelani, along with Turkish doctors Dr. Harun Demirci and Dr. Hasan Murat Ergani, worked tirelessly to give the twins a chance at life.
The final surgery on July 19 successfully separated the twins, who were under constant medical supervision since arriving in May. This extraordinary event showcased not just surgical brilliance but the power of global collaboration between Turkish and British teams. Dr. Ergani described the moment the team completed the surgery, saying, “The entire room erupted in applause – it was a moment none of us will ever forget.”
The twins’ parents, Rehan Ali and Nazia Parveen, expressed immense gratitude for the life-changing efforts, saying they couldn’t have done it without President Erdogan and the medical teams.