The mother of the conjoined twins, Akeneta Rokobati Tacaqe who were successfully separated in Saudi Arabia, says she is overjoyed to see her babies recovering well after the operation, describing the moment they were separated as precious.
Speaking to fijivillage News, Tacaqe says the twins spent five days in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit before being transferred to the general ward.
She says the babies were initially placed in separate rooms before doctors moved them into one room two days later.
Tacaqe says the twins no longer require oxygen, are breathing well and have started taking food after being on milk for a few days.
She says the family had been waiting for this moment for several months and were initially nervous while watching the operation live, but later became more comfortable.
Tacaqe says she is particularly happy to see her babies separated and thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for making the operation possible.
She says the family wanted to give twins Jesipeli and Di Cecea Kikau an additional Arabic name Sara and Noura as a way of showing their appreciation to Saudi Arabia for what it has done for them.
Tacaqe also praised the medical staff for their expertise, care and kindness, saying they looked after the family very well throughout their hospital stay.
She says the support from families in Saudi Arabia who regularly visit them has also made them feel at home away from home.
Tacaqe says her family back home is overjoyed and cannot wait to meet the babies.
She hopes to bring the twins back to Saudi Arabia one day to show them where they were separated.
She also hopes the children may one day consider working in the medical field as doctors or nurses so they can give back to the community and help others.
Tacaqe thanked everyone who has kept her family in their thoughts and prayers, saying the babies are doing well and their return to Fiji has not yet been decided as they are still recovering.
