Yola: The Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital (MAUTH), Yola, says it has successfully separated six sets of conjoined twins in the past decade.
The Chief Paediatric Surgeon at the hospital, Prof. Abubakar Auwal, shared the joy of the moment at the discharge ceremony on Saturday, expressing pride and relief as the newly separated twins prepared to return home healthy and hopeful.
Auwal said the latest procedure marked the sixth successful separation since 2013, when the hospital performed its first such operation.
He explained that the twins had been joined at the abdominal region, and that everyone in the surgical team felt a deep sense of triumph and gratitude as they were successfully separated without complications.
Reflecting on the history of such procedures, the surgeon noted that Nigeria recorded its first conjoined twins separation in 1936 in Sokoto, and several successful procedures have followed nationwide.
According to him, the hospital’s achievements are the result of teamwork, enhanced expertise, and collaboration among specialists in different fields.
He, however, called for increased government investment in healthcare, especially in funding, training, infrastructure and professional collaboration, to sustain such advanced medical procedures.
Auwal said improved support would help reduce medical tourism and address the shortage of young doctors caused by migration, popularly known as the “Japa” syndrome.
The hospital covered the recent procedure at no cost. This included the surgery, drugs, and admission, Auwal added, noting that such costs typically run into millions of naira.
The surgeon commended the staff of the paediatric, radiology and nursing units for their roles in ensuring accurate diagnosis and successful surgery.
In his remarks, the Chief Medical Director of MAUTH, Prof. Adamu Bakari, praised the medical team and reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to quality healthcare delivery.
Bakari said that in 1999, MAUTH had only 100 beds. Today, the facility has expanded to over 800 beds and offers advanced diagnostic equipment, including CT and MRI services.
He noted that due to these improvements, the hospital now attracts patients from across the country for complex paediatric surgeries, further reinforcing its reputation as a centre of excellence in the North-East.
The CMD also called for continued support from the government and stakeholders. By doing so, service delivery can be enhanced, and comprehensive in-house care maintained.
Also speaking, the twins’ grandfather, Mr Jibir Adamu, expressed gratitude to the hospital for providing free treatment and saving the children’s lives.
The twins’ mother, however, passed away soon after childbirth, leaving behind a bittersweet victory for the family and medical team.
