Ivory Coast: Historic Operation Separates Two Siamese Twins in Bingerville

In an unprecedented medical feat, an international team of surgeons has successfully separated two conjoined twins at the Dominique Ouattara Mother and Child Hospital in Bingerville, Ivory Coast. A milestone in the country's medical history and a victory for science.

An unprecedented surgical challenge

Marie and Grâce, two six-month-old twins, were born joined at the abdomen, sharing a liver and part of the intestines. A rare malformation that, until now, had left little chance for children like them in sub-Saharan Africa. But fate decided otherwise. An international team of six Franco-Swiss volunteer doctors from Chaîne de l'Espoir, supported by Ivorian practitioners, took up the challenge brilliantly.

The operation, which lasted 17 hours, required meticulous preparation. The main challenge, the surgeons said, was separating the shared organs while ensuring the survival of the two girls. The challenge was met with flying colors. "This is a medical miracle. These children will now have a chance to live like everyone else," one of the surgeons said after the operation.

Beyond the medical: a victory against prejudice

While this feat is a scientific breakthrough, it also carries a strong cultural and social message. In Africa, the birth of conjoined twins is often shrouded in superstition. In some communities, these children are seen as symbols of a curse, exposing families to extreme stigma.

The parents of Marie and Grâce, courageous in the face of judgment, decided to fight for their daughters. By entrusting them to the specialists at the Mother-Child Hospital in Bingerville, they broke the chains of prejudice and relied on science. "This operation is proof that what some consider supernatural can find a solution thanks to modern medicine," said a spokesperson for the hospital.

Ivory Coast asserts itself on the medical scene

This feat marks a turning point for the Ivorian health system, still in the midst of reconstruction after decades of instability. The Dominique Ouattara Mother and Child Hospital, where the operation took place, embodies a new era for the country, with modern infrastructure and strengthened international collaborations.

The success of this intervention, the first of its kind in Côte d'Ivoire, reflects the progress made thanks to the joint efforts of health authorities and international partners. "This shows that Africa is capable of tackling the most complex medical challenges. We hope that this operation will pave the way for other breakthroughs," said a representative of Chaîne de l'Espoir.

Towards a promising future for Marie and Grâce

After the operation, Marie and Grâce are recovering and responding well to post-operative care. While their path to a normal life will still be long, they already embody hope for millions of other children born in similar conditions.

This feat also shows the power of medical and human cooperation. It is a testament to what science, courage and humanity can accomplish when borders are erased for a noble cause.