Conjoined twins meet for the first time after historic surgery

It was a classic moment as the conjoined twins who were successfully separated at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) over a week ago finally got to see each other face-to-face for the first time since the delicate surgery.

The twins; Favour and Blessing, who have been in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) since their November 2, 2016 after a 23-hour surgery are now recuperating at the KNH’s Pediatric Surgery Ward.

Upon getting better and gathering enough strength, they will be released to go home with their mother after the completion of their two-year treatment process.

According to Dr Fred Kambuni, the Chief Pediatric Surgeon at KNH and who led the historic 23-hour operation, Favor, the youngest of the twins, was the first one to leave the ICU.

For 13 days, the twins have been staying in the ICU after a team comprised of 60 specialists from the Kenyatta National Hospital and the University of Nairobi’s School of Health Sciences successfully separated them.

The girls were admitted in 2014 at the referral hospital, a day after birth, and have been at the facility for the last two years as planning of the surgery went on.

The ground-breaking surgery was done at a cost of Ksh 160 million.

Speaking during a press conference at the hospital two weeks ago, KNH Chief Executive Officer, Dr Thomas Mutie, stated that with the equipment now available in the hospital, separation of conjoined twins would approximately cost Ksh 600,000.

Mutie further added that patients with NHIF cover would be advantaged since 75 percent of the cost would be catered for.

Story by Gentrix Oduor, additional reporting by Wangui Ngechu