Bid to separate adult Iranian Siamese twins

Two adult Iranian Siamese twins, joined at the head, arrived in Singapore yesterday seeking out the doctor who separated two Nepalese babies last year.

Laleh and Ladan Birjani, who are qualified lawyers, were born with interlocked brains similar to Nepalese twins Ganga and Jamuna Shrestha. The Shresthas were separated by surgeon Keith Goh in a marathon 97-hour operation.

Within hours of the 27-year-old Iranian women arriving in Singapore, specialists at Raffles Hospital began tests.

If the operation proceeds, fees for medicine and equipment, estimated at S$400,000 ($463,000), will be waived.