Surgery to separate conjoined twins cost Ksh160m, specialists say

The ground-breaking surgery to separate conjoined twins Blessing and Favour at the Kenyatta National Hospital cost Ksh160 million, specialists at the hospital have said.

Speaking during a press conference at the hospital, KNH Chief Executive Officer Dr Thomas Mutie explained that the 23 hours surgery involved the use of specialized machines and personnel.

“We needed specialized equipment such as three extra anaesthesia machines which we had to import since they are not available locally. We also had a team of 50 experienced multidisciplinary personnel whose due payment had to be made,” he said.

The twins, who were admitted at the KNH pediatric surgical ward on September 5, are no longer on life support machines.

Dr Mutie reaffirmed that Blessing and Favour are able to feed, move and verbally communicate on their own. They will be discharged after two weeks of recuperation.

Caroline Mukiri, the mother to the twins, expressed her gratitude to KNH and the University of Nairobi School of Health Sciences specialized team for the successful separation on the twins.

“I did not know it would be successful. Patience and prayers helped me a lot,” she said emotionally.

Dr Mutie thanked Kenyans for their support in the 2 years and 2 months it took to prepare for the operation and for their contribution.

He stated that with the equipment now available in the hospital, separation of conjoined twins cost would approximately cost Ksh600,000, adding that patients with NHIF cover would be advantaged since 75 percent of the cost would be catered for.

Dr.Mutie thanked President Uhuru Kenyatta for the message of goodwill to the children and the team.