The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Soroti, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Medics at Soroti Medics have said that the surviving Siamese twin has recovered and is out of danger.
Last month, the doctors successfully separated a dead conjoined twin from a live sibling. The twins had last been delivered by caesarean section at Amuria Health Centre IV in Amuria District to Joyce Alinga, a 21-year-old who conceived during the long COVID-19 holiday.
But moments after the caesarean birth, one of the twins was found dead while the other was alive, prompting medics in Amuria Hospital to refer the children to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital for possible detachment. But the team in Soroti also referred the family to Mulago National Referral Hospital, where they arrived on Monday.
However, the family failed to secure an appointment with medics to carry out an operation on the children, forcing the family to return to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital.
The living conjoined twin was able to stay alive for six days while stuck to the other, dead baby. The medics said that the surgery had to be conducted as an emergency to save the life of the second twin.
Dr Joseph Epodoi, the lead surgeon at Soroti Regional Hospital who was among the team who carried out the successful operation says that the twin is out of danger. He explains that the surviving twin had holes in the heart but after carrying out a Cardiologist test, it was discovered that the holes have healed.
According to Dr Epodoi, the baby is reported to be doing well and is likely to be discharged soon.
Dr Michael Mwanga the Soroti Regional Referral Hospital Director maintained that there is no cause of alarm regarding the health of the child.
According to Dr Mwanga, doctors at the hospital did their best to carry out all the necessary tests and ensure that the child does not have a heart problem.
Two weeks ago, Parliament honored a 15-member medical team of the hospital, for successfully conducting the surgery. The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga said that the names of the medics will be submitted to the national medal awards committee for consideration.
The MPs also said that since the hospital only operates at 40 per cent of its capacity, they asked the government to rehabilitate and equip it.
*******
URN
