Health and Wellness: Once conjoined, twins Riddhi and Siddhi celebrate 10th birthday at the Mumbai hospital they call home
Abandoned by their parents, the girls have been raised by the Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital in Mumbai which has been taking care of their treatment, well-being and education.
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Their birthday is celebrated on May 9, the day the girls were brought to the hospital. (Express Photo) The colourfully decked-up special ward no.14 at Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children in Mumbai has been the home of Riddhi and Siddhi – conjoined twins who were separated at a young age — for as long as they can remember. Raised by the hospital since their surgery, the sprightly girls have turned ten this month.
Born to a couple from Panvel in 2013, Riddhi and Siddhi were abandoned at the hospital by their parents shortly after the conjoined twins were successfully separated in January 2014. It took over 30 hours of surgery to separate the two as they were conjoined at 180 degrees, which itself falls under the rare category of Ischiopagus twins.
It took over 30 hours of surgery to separate the two as they were conjoined at 180 degrees, which itself falls under the rare category of Ischiopagus twins. (Express Photo)
The hospital, however, did not give up on the girls. Since then, it has been taking care of their treatment, well-being as well as education. The most-loved patients of the hospital, Riddhi and Siddhi live in an airconditioned room decorated with colourful paintings. The hospital has even appointed a teacher to help them with their studies.
“As they have been raised in a hospital, the girls have been inspired by healthcare workers who want to help needy people. Riddhi wants to be a nurse and Siddhi plans to become a doctor,” said Helen Muses Jacob, who is in charge of the special ward.
Their birthday is celebrated on May 9, the day the girls were brought to the hospital. This year, the girls donned pink frocks to mark the special day as hospital CEO Dr Minnie Bodhanwala brought their favourite chocolate cake. The birthday bash was held in the presence of doctors, nurses and other staff on the hospital premises.
The hospital, however, did not give up on the girls. Since then, it has been taking care of their treatment, well-being as well as education. (Express Photo)
“Like every year, a big birthday celebration was held for Riddhi-Siddhi who turned 10 this year. They are our inspiration, the daughters of the hospital. Celebrating their birthday has become a norm for us,” said Dr Bodhanwala. “The girls deserve a better life and we are fortunate to have helped them fulfil their dreams. These girls fill our hearts with happiness,” she added.
The girls always have visitors like doctors and nurses who make them feel loved. The hospital authorities have also bought bicycles for them. “Recently, we took them to Rani Bagh and they were overwhelmed with happiness,” said Jacob, whom they call “Helen Mommu”.
The twins undergo physiotherapy on a daily basis. “They wake up at 6.30 am and are given a breakfast of their choice, like poha, egg fry or burji. Then, they go for physiotherapy on the ground floor. At around noon, a guard drops them in school,” said Jacob.
The hospital has also stationed a helper in their room round-the-clock to take care of the girls. With regular physiotherapy, they are able to do daily tasks like wearing clothes and brushing their own hair.
The twins have spent the summer holidays watching their favourite cartoon Chhota Bheem. “They have come a long way. Now, when their laughter resounds through the corridor, my heart fills with happiness,” Jacob added.
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