Telangana hesitates on NGO offers for Veena-Vani

Hyderabad: Two non-government organisations have approached Niloufer Hospital for permission to take care of the conjoined twins Veena and Vani and provide for their accommodation and schooling. The health department and the hospital, however, are yet to take a long-term view on this.

Mr Mujtaba Askari of an NGO said, “With the father not willing to take them back and the government thinking of shifting them to a state run home, we are keen to provide private care for the girls. We have approached the state health ministry and the hospital officials, but the replies are not encouraging.”

Another group has also shown willingness to provide for their daily care and education expenses.

Dr Ramesh Reddy, senior professor at Niloufer Hospital, said: “It is for the government to decide on the care that has to be provided to the twins. Legally, the duty of the hospital is to hand over the girls to their parents or, if they are not able to care for them, to a state-run home. The question here is how can we trust private non-governm-ent organisations. They are now going to be mature girls and must be kept where their security and safety are taken care of.”

The health department has adopted a wait-and-watch policy. A senior official said, “After the report from the AIIMS doctors that they can’t be separated, the government is weighing their options. With the father clearly stating that he requires help to take care of the girls and a facility to stay in Hyderabad it’s a question which will have to be thought over.”

The government has been taking care of the girls who have been housed at Niloufer Hospital. There is also a lot of pressure to ensure they get good care in a state home.