Siamese twins die in Pekanbaru

PEKANBARU: Newborn Siamese twins at Arifin Achmad Hospital in Pekanbaru, Riau, died Tuesday of massive organ failure, after four days of intensive treatment.

The chief surgeon, Tubagus Odih, said breathing aids had failed to support the twins' hearts and lungs, which had been functioning poorly since they were born to local couple Badrun and Nurhayati.

"We did our best to improve vital organ performance, but we failed," he said at a press conference.

"The baby on the left side died at 1:33 a.m., while the other baby passed away two minutes later."

He added the babies had been in critical condition five hours prior to their deaths, due to respiratory disorders and low oxygen intake.

Hospital director Yulwiarti Moesa said Badrun had taken them to Puri Husada General Hospital before burying them at Pelantar Raya village, Indragiri Hilir regency. -JP