Manal and Mirhi: The Incredible Journey of Conjoined Twins Separated by Groundbreaking Surgery
From the moment they were born, doctors exchanged uneasy glances, aware that this was not a case with simple answers. Scans raised difficult questions, and the silence in the delivery room spoke louder than words ever could. No one could predict how long the girls would survive — only that every decision moving forward would carry life-altering consequences.
Manal and Mirhi were born in Pakistan with an exceptionally rare condition: they were joined at the head, sharing parts of their skull and a complex network of blood vessels. Such cases occur in roughly one out of every 60,000 births, and only a small number of infants survive long enough to be considered for separation surgery.
When the sisters reached the age of three, their parents and a team of medical specialists made the difficult decision to proceed with the operation, fully aware of the extreme risks.
The girls were transferred to Bilkent City Hospital in Ankara, where a multidisciplinary international team spent months preparing. Surgeons used detailed three-dimensional models of the twins’ skulls and brains to meticulously plan every step of the procedure.
The separation was carried out in multiple stages, with the final surgery lasting over 14 hours. Despite the complexity and danger, the operation was successfully completed, and the sisters soon began breathing independently.
Doctors report that Manal and Mirhi’s recovery is progressing faster than anticipated, and they believe the girls will be able to live full, independent lives. For their parents, the moment is beyond words: for the first time, they could hold each daughter separately in their arms.
Conclusion
What began as an almost unimaginable medical challenge has become a story of resilience, precision, and hope. Through months of planning, groundbreaking surgical expertise, and unwavering parental courage, Manal and Mirhi were given the chance to live as individuals. Their journey stands as a testament to modern medicine—and to the extraordinary strength found in a family’s belief that even the rarest odds can be overcome.