Apollo Imperial Hospital in Chattogram has made history by successfully performing the city's first conjoined twin separation surgery, marking a major milestone in Bangladesh’s pediatric surgical landscape.
The twin boys, Riaasat Zafar Chowdhury and Rhenish Zafar Chowdhury, were born on 6 May to a family from Khulshi, Chattogram. Weighing just 973 and 1,045 grams respectively at birth, they were in critical condition and required immediate intervention.
Led by renowned pediatric surgeon Dr Adnan Walid, a team of 18 medical professionals—including eight specialist doctors—performed the complex surgery within just 23 hours of the twins’ birth. The operation lasted three hours and, according to the hospital, is among the fastest conjoined twin separation surgeries ever conducted globally.
Since the operation, both babies have shown promising signs of recovery, with their weights increasing to 1,255 grams and 1,350 grams.
The high-risk delivery was managed by gynecologist Dr Reshma Sharmin, and the anaesthesia team, led by Dr Maswood, played a critical role in maintaining the babies’ stability throughout the procedure.
At a press conference held yesterday, senior hospital leadership shared details of this medical breakthrough. Present were Chairman Wahed Malek, Managing Director Nafid Nabi, CEO Helal Uddin, Deputy Chief of Medical Services Dr Fazl-e-Akbar, and Consultant Anesthesiologist Dr Masud.
The twins' parents attended the event and expressed heartfelt thanks to the medical team for their swift and skilled intervention.
Chairman Wahed Malek remarked, “This extraordinary achievement is a testament to our medical expertise and reflects our deep commitment to advancing healthcare in Chattogram and across Bangladesh.”
This marks the sixth conjoined twin separation surgery in the country and the first ever in Chattogram.
