Conjoined twins Jaga-Kalia, who were separated through a critical surgery in October last year at the AIIMS, New Delhi, are now “clinically” well and do not need ICU or specialised care, the apex human rights watchdog of India, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was informed.
In response to a notice issued by the NHRC acting on a petition filed by rights activist and Supreme Court lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy, the AIIMS has told this.
Earlier, Health and Family Welfare Minister Pratap Jena had said as overstay in hospital may cause infection, we are considering shifting of Jaga and Kalia to Bhubaneswar from New Delhi. But refuting the observation of the Minister, Tripathy had said that so long as the twins are not fully fit, they should be kept under continuous medical supervision. Over stay in AIIMS, Delhi never caused infection to anybody, he had contended.
The institute further informed the NHRC that even though the Odisha Government had given Rs 1 crore financial support for these children, the institute had used only Rs 11.8 lakh. The remaining money was transferred back to the Odisha Government in December last year.
Prasanta Patnaik