Govt to bear costs as treatment of conjoined twins begins at DMCH
Earlier, following Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s instructions, Health Minister Sakhawat Hossain advised that the babies be admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain visited two conjoined baby girls at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) yesterday (10 August), as doctors began treatment to separate the infants through surgery.
The minister visited the children at around 8pm and took responsibility for all their medical expenses.
Earlier, following Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's instructions, the health minister advised that the babies from Kushtia be admitted to DMCH. Their family subsequently brought them to Dhaka from Kushtia.
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Speaking to reporters at the hospital, Sakhawat said, "It was reported in the newspapers that a poor couple had given birth to two conjoined baby girls and that they could not afford the cost of their treatment. On the prime minister's instructions, I spoke to their father by telephone yesterday and asked him to bring them here.
"He brought them here at my request, and I assured them that they would receive treatment at Dhaka Medical College."
"We have specialist doctors here, and if necessary, we will bring in doctors from outside and form a medical board to provide treatment to the two babies.
"We will provide them with the best possible care and pray that Allah keeps the two children alive," he added.
He said the hospital would also arrange food and other necessities for the children.
"We will keep a close watch on them and take all necessary measures for their treatment," he said.
The minister also provided financial assistance to the children's family.
The children's father, Nahid Hossain, said the babies had been suffering from severe physical complications since birth. Due to financial hardship, he had been unable to afford their daily medicines and milk.
After local journalists learned about the children's condition, they visited the family, collected information and photographs, and published reports on the case. The reports were subsequently circulated on social media and in the media, drawing the prime minister's attention.
Following the prime minister's instructions, the health minister contacted Nahid Hossain directly and assured him that the government would take responsibility for the children's treatment.
The family expressed gratitude for the government's direct intervention.
The babies were born 96 days ago, on 4th May, at the hospital of Bangladesh Medical University. The family later took them home after becoming unable to bear the cost of their treatment.
