Rashid and Hamdan, the conjoined Iraqi twins who were separated in Dubai two years ago, are today bubbling with life and are up to mischief like all boys their age.
Rashid (2nd left) and Hamdan have brought smiles to their parents, Ahmad Gazi and Mai, after the November 24 operation. ©Gulf News |
They were born in Baghdad on August 7, joined at the pelvis and sharing some vital organs, but they each had two legs with normal movement.
They underwent successful separation surgery in an 11-hour operation at Dubai Hospital, funded by General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence. Shaikh Mohammad had them flown here in a private jet.
"Thirteen doctors, ten from Britain and three from the UAE, took part in the 11-hour operation, which was a complete success," said Dr Eisa Kathem, medical director of the hospital. He said they will require more surgery in a few years, but he did not elaborate on the procedures.
As a sign of their gratitude to Shaikh Mohammad, the parents renamed the twins Rashid and Hamdan after two of Shaikh Mohammad's sons. They were given the names of Hassan and Hussain at birth.
"The twins are healthy and now they are walking. They are very naughty kids. They keep on running around the house and fighting with each other," said Mai, their mother.
When she sees them running now, she remembers those days when they were joined together and crying in pain at the hospital.
"We are happy to celebrate their second birthday. It is a small party of only the four of us. My husband got them some gifts. He keeps on getting them things all the time. He loves them a lot.
"My babies suffered a lot and thank God they are separated now and are normal. Thanks to Shaikh Mohammad who helped us and took over the expenses of separating them. Without his help, we would never have been able to afford the expenses of the surgery," she said.
The family lives in a flat, and Ahmad Gazi, the father, has been promised a job with Dubai Municipality.
"My kids will need further surgery in two or three years and we can't take them to Iraq until then as the situation there is not good. We don't have good hospitals there and their case is very special. That's why we need to wait until all the operations are performed. They suffer from severe pain sometimes.
"Mai has to change their diapers every 15 minutes as they keep urinating. This makes them suffer, and it disturbs us a lot as the only thing we can do is wait. But, hopefully, after all the surgeries are performed, they will be like other healthy children," he said.
The twins left the hospital about three months ago. "We want our children to be away from the hospital's environment and to live as a family. This, I believe, will help them recover fast, and us as well. Since we left the hospital, we feel like a family. We are happy having them here," he said.
