Conjoined twins Hassana and Hussaina, who were born in Zaria, Kaduna State, will get free surgery at a clinic in Dubai called Burjeel Medical City in the United Arab Emirates.
Mr. Nuhu Fulani Kwajafa, the national coordinator for the Global Initiative for Peace, Love, and Care, disclosed this information in a statement on Saturday (GIPLC).
He said that a few months ago, triplets were born at the Ahmadu Bello Teaching Hospital in Zaria.
He said that although one of the triplets is healthy, the other two are connected at the stomach and share other vital organs.
According to the statement, the Dubai hospital had initially estimated that the cost of the surgery to separate the girls would be over $300,000, but after evaluating the situation, it made the offer to do the procedure for free.
Another hospital in London sent GIPLC a bill of £896,000 (Eight hundred and ninety-six thousand pounds) for the operation.
Mr Kwajafa had earlier posted on social media: “Following consultations with various doctors in the UK and Dubai (UAE), we are made to understand that Hassana and Hussaina’s case is the first of its kind, and a surgical procedure to separate them would cost over $300,000.
“After weeks of discussions with Dubai Hospital, Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE, they have offered to do the surgery for free on humanitarian grounds.
“In fact, the Chairman of the Medical City has a keen interest in the case and has also offered to send a team of doctors to Nigeria to accompany the family back to UAE, for a projected 9-month post-surgery stay for close observations to complete recovery. The surgery will be conducted by Doctors from Italy, USA and the UAE.”
He said during one of GIPLC’s fund drives for the family’s upkeep at Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital where they have been for the past three months, Mr Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, sent N600,000 (six hundred thousand naira) for their care, and promised to be involved in their surgery.
Governor Nasir el-Rufai also promised to do something when the bills are out for the surgery.
Mr Nuhu Kwajafa, however, said that he is still soliciting funds to transport the conjoined sisters and their family to Dubai and for their feeding and housing in Dubai.
He appealed to all Nigerians to support the babies.
