Condition of conjoined twins critical

Bhubaneswar : The condition of the conjoined twins of Odisha, who underwent a marathon surgery at the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, is "critical but stable", state Health and Family Welfare minister Pratap Jena said .

Jena said 28-month-old twins -- Jaga and Kalia -- joined at their heads, were separated during a 16-hour-long surgery which began on October 25 morning and ended yesterday, are under round-the-clock observation and the next 30 hours will be crucial for them. A team of specialist doctors have been engaged to monitor their condition, he added.

The twins, who hail from Milipada village under Phiringia block in Kandhamal district, are craniopagus conjoined twins, joined at their heads, which is a very rare condition.

"The whole of Odisha has been praying for the speedy recovery of Jaga and Kalia. We hope the twin brothers will return Kandhamal after their recovery," the minister said. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in a tweet had said, "Glad to learn of successful separation of Jaga Kalia at #AIIMS. Congrats to the doctors' team. Pray to Lord Jagannath.

The ruling BJD workers organised a mass prayer in front of the Ram Mandir here praying for the speedy recovery of the twins. “