Jaga, Kalia need 5 yrs for full recovery

Jaga and Kalia, the separated conjoined twins of Odisha who are still under doctors’ observation at the AIIMS in New Delhi, would require five years for complete recovery.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) informed this to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) in response to a notice of the latter. The NCST had served the notice on the petition and rejoinder filed by Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy.

The AIIMS reports stated that a craniopagus surgery has been conducted on the twins and the condition of Balia has improved.

He is receiving normal diet and physiotherapy can be done by his parents/attendants/caregivers.

The report stated that there is no politics between the State and Centre with regard to financial aid as mentioned by Tripathy a in rejoinder that less than Rs 20 lakh was spent and the rest amount of sanctioned Rs 1 crore was returned to the State Government while the AIIMS exempted certain expenses.

The report also mentioned that medicals in Odisha, including the AIIMS Bhubaneswar, are well equipped to take care of the twins.

Further, the report stated that Kalia is neurologically weak and would take long time for recovery.

The twins’ parents are away from their home for more than a year now and, hence, their two other children needs to be taken care of, suggested the AIIMS report.

“We shall be happy to provide guidance/care to these children at suitable point of time for their best outcome.

A team of doctors from Odisha can visit to enquire the condition of both the children at AIIMS, Delhi.” the report signed by a panel of doctors said.

The NCST has sought reply from Tripathy within 30 days over the AIIMS’ reply.