Conjoined Baby Twins in China Await Surgery

For a family in Hunan Province, the birth of twin baby girls brought both happiness and worry for the parents. The twins are conjoined, and according to state media, are currently waiting to be separated.

The twins were born on November 29th, and are conjoined at the chest, stomach and liver. The separation operation is unaffordable for the parents who live on only $160 a month – costing $47,000.

[Zheng Yunsu, Father of the Twins]:
“When my wife gave birth to the children, I borrowed 5,000 yuan (around $700) to cover the expenses."

The local Yongzhou hospital raised $3100 in one day, but it’s still only a fraction of the cost.

[Zhao Yumai, Mother of Twins]:
"I just want my children to be healthy and the operation successful."

The twins were transported to Hunan Children's Hospital in Changsha, where they await surgery.

They arrived safely after a three-hour trip. An ultrasound test revealed that surgery is possible and that their heart defects are curable. The only tricky obstacle is a thick blood vessel connecting the two.