1st conjoined twins born in Dagupan hospital

DAGUPAN CITY , Philippines  – The first omphaloischiopagus conjoined twins with connected abdomen and pelvis were born Wednesday night at the government-owned Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) in this city. 

Menardo de la Cruz, 31, and Kristel May, 25, both jobless, of Barangay Nalsian Norte, Malasiqui town, Pangasinan, are pleading for help of Good Samaritans who could help them extend the life of their conjoined twins.

Penniless and worried, Menardo told The STAR yesterday that he and his wife went to the hospital for Kristel’s regular pre-natal check-up only Wednesday but was advised not to go home anymore as she would already be giving birth anytime.

Kristel gave birth to the conjoined twins around 8:30 p.m.

Dr. Michael Canto, R1MC spokesman, said this is the first time such kind of conjoined twins was born here. There had been four other conjoined twins born at the R1MC, he said, who were connected in the abdomen only.

“Their status right now is still “guarded,” meaning critical because they’re pre-term, only 33 weeks by pediatric aging,” he said.

The normal is 37 weeks, he said. 

“Right now, we don’t know yet what organs they’re sharing and there are other congenital anomalies aside from being conjoined like they have one anus, one sex organ which remains undetected whether its is female or male because their genitalia is not prominent,” Canto said.

Menardo said his wife has elder twin sisters.

He said he wholeheartedly accepted the physical appearance of his twins, whom he temporarily named “Kambal” as their gender is not yet known.

If there would be people who would help our children to have longer life despite their appearance, I would be very happy and thankful,” he said in Pangasinan dialect.

He said he has told his wife about the condition of their twins. Of course that is God-given to us,” he said.

Menardo said he is however problematic on how to look for funds for the medical expenses of his children and his wife. They had no Philhealth card.

“I don’t know what to do. We are really penniless,” he said as his tears were ready to roll down from his eyes.