Amid anxiety of their parents and well-wishers, conjoined boys Jaga and Balia of Kandhamal district underwent the much-awaited surgery for separation of their heads at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi on Monday.
A team of 40 doctors drawn from disciplines like orthopaedic surgery, paediatrics and cardiology performed the first phase of the operation from 9 am. A Japanese surgeon was also in the team.
A second-phase surgery would be undertaken after the first one is found successful and the wounds on the bodies of the boys are healed, according to doctors.
The State Government has provided monetary assistance to the boys’ poor parents for the highly-expensive treatment.
In the afternoon, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik spoke to AIIMS neurosurgeon Dr Ashok Mohapatra over phone and inquired about the operation. Dr Mohapatra said the surgery would continue for another four to six hours.
He wished successful treatment for the twins and said the State Government would provide all support for it.
Prayers were offered to God across the State for success of the surgery